Warning! Note that elemental potentials taken from alloy descriptions may not work well for the pure species. This is particularly true if the elements were fit for compounds instead of being optimized separately. As with all interatomic potentials, please check to make sure that the performance is adequate for your problem.
Citation: P. Brommer, M. Boissieu, H. Euchner, S. Francoual, F. Gähler, M. Johnson, K. Parlinski, and K. Schmalzl (2009), "Vibrational properties of MgZn2", Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 224(1-2), 97-100. DOI: 10.1524/zkri.2009.1085.
Abstract: We present here simulation results on the dynamical structure factor of the C14 Laves Phase of MgZn2, the simplest of the Mg–(Al,Zn) Frank-Kasper alloy phases. The dynamical structure factor was determined in two ways. Firstly, the dynamical matrix was obtained in harmonic approximation from ab-initio forces. The dynamical structure factor can then be computed from the eigenvalues of the dynamical matrix. Alternatively, Molecular Dynamics simulations of a larger sample were used to measure the correlation function corresponding to the dynamical structure factor. Both results are compared to data from neutron scattering experiments. This comparison also includes the intensity distribution, which is a very sensitive test. We find that the dynamical structure factor determined with either method agrees reasonably well with the experiment. In particular, the intensity transfer from acoustic to optic phonon modes can be reproduced correctly. This shows that simulation studies can complement phonon dispersion measurements.
Notes: The EAM potential used in the simulations was fitted to the vibrational properties of the MgZn2 Laves phase.