Theoretical investigations on structural, elastic and electronic properties of thallium halides

Theoretical investigations on structural, elastic and electronic properties, viz, ground state lattice parameter, elastic moduli and density of states, of thallium halides (viz. TlCl and TlBr) have been made using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The ground state lattice parameter and bulk modulus and its pressure derivative have been obtained using optimization method. Young's modulus, shear modulus, Poisson ratio, sound velocities for longitudinal and shear waves, Debye average velocity, Debye temperature and Gruneisen parameter have also been calculated for these compounds. Calculated structural, elastic and other parameters are in good agreement with the available data. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.