Analytical bond-order potential for the Cd-Zn-Te ternary system

CdTe/CdSe core/shell structured quantum dots do not suffer from the defects typically seen in lattice-mismatched films and can therefore lead to improved solid-state lighting devices as compared to the multilayered structures (e.g., InxGa1–xN/GaN). To achieve these devices, however, the quantum dots must be optimized with respect to the structural details at an atomistic level. Molecular dynamics simulations are effective for exploring nano structures at a resolution unattainable by experimental techniques. To enable accurate molecular dynamics simulations of CdTe/CdSe core/shell structures, we have developed a full Cd–Te–Se ternary bond-order potential based on the analytical formalisms derived from quantum mechanical theories by Pettifor et al. A variety of elemental and compound configurations (with coordination varying from 1 to 12) including small clusters, bulk lattices, defects, and surfaces are explicitly considered during potential parametrization. More importantly, enormous iterations are perfor...