Structural Simulation and Lattice Vibration of a3Ni5Al19 (A = Th, U)

Abstract

An atomistic simulation is presented on the phase stability and lattice parameters of the new actinide intermetallic compounds A3Ni5Al19(A = Th, U). Calculations are based on a series of interatomic pair potentials related to the actinides and transition metals, which are obtained by lattice inversion method. Calculated lattice constants are found to agree with a report in the literature. It is noted that, the total and partial phonon densities of states are first evaluated for the A3Ni5Al19(A = Th, U) compounds. The analysis for the inverted potentials explains qualitatively the contributions of different atoms to the vibrational modes.