Point defects in tight binding models for insulators

Abstract

We consider atomistic geometry relaxation in the context of linear tight binding models for point defects. A limiting model as Fermi-temperature is sent to zero is formulated, and an exponential rate of convergence for the nuclei configuration is established. We also formulate the thermodynamic limit model at zero Fermi-temperature, extending the results of [H. Chen, J. Lu and C. Ortner, Thermodynamic limit of crystal defects with finite temperature tight binding, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 230 (2018) 701–733]. We discuss the non-trivial relationship between taking zero temperature and thermodynamic limits in the finite Fermi-temperature models.