title: Origin of network connectivity and structural units in amorphous SiSe2.
abstract: We elucidate the structural properties of amorphous SiSe2 by first-principles molecular dynamics. The calculated structure factor is in very good agreement with experiments, as well as the number of corner- and edge-sharing tetrahedra. By focusing on the sequences of Si atoms linked via intra- and intertetrahedral bonds, we identify the predominant structural motifs. The sequences involving both corner- and edge-sharing connections are significantly more frequent than those formed exclusively by edge-shared Si atoms. Our results clarify a longstanding controversy on the structure of this prototypical disordered network-forming material.
authors.affiliation: Ente per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e l'Ambiente, ENEA, C.R. Casaccia, CP 2400, I-00100 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Celino
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Massobrio