Abstract: We present an embedded atom method (EAM) potential for hexagonal beryllium, with a pair function in the form of a Morse potential and a Johnson embedding function with exponential electron density. The cohesive energy, elastic constants, lattice parameters and relaxed vacancy formation energy were used to fit the potential. The fitted-potential was validated by a comparison to first-principles and, wherever available, experimental results for the lattice energies of various crystal structures: vacancy cluster, interstitial formation and surface. Using a large cutoff distance of 5 Å, which includes interactions to approximately the eighth neighbor shell of beryllium, allows our potential to reproduce these quantities considerably better than previous EAM potentials. The accuracy obtained by our potential is similar to or in some cases even better than available modified EAM potentials, while being computationally less intensive.

Abstract: An analytical interatomic bond order potential for the Be–O system is presented. The potential is fitted and compared to a large database of bulk BeO and point defect properties obtained using density functional theory. Its main applications include simulations of plasma-surface interactions involving oxygen or oxide layers on beryllium, as well as simulations of BeO nanotubes and nanosheets. We apply the potential in a study of oxygen irradiation of Be surfaces, and observe the early stages of an oxide layer forming on the Be surface. Predicted thermal and elastic properties of BeO nanotubes and nanosheets are simulated and compared with published ab initio data.