Release notes of nextnano++

2023-12-??

quantum{}

  • davidson{} group introduced for 8-band \(\mathbf{k} \cdot \mathbf{p}\) model

  • force_pauli_solver{} group introduced for all one-band models

optics{}

  • bugfix for irradiation{ illumination{ direction_* } } }, now negative values are properly processed

  • improvement of an existing feature optics{ quantum_region{output_spectra{ output_components } } } has different type and allows to output components of all spectra.

2023-08-07

general input syntax

  • !DATA statement got introduced for post-processor

  • !TEXT and !ENDTEXT statements introduced for multi-line comments

classical{}

  • output_band_densities{} is introduced

  • bulk_dispersion{} is moved from quantum{} with a slight syntax change

  • Bulk dispersions within 1-band models can be now also included in the output (offset might be still incorrect)

optics{}

  • spin_align is back after reviewing its functionality. Default value is changed to no

  • make_spin_degenerate

currents{}

  • robust atribute is introduced to enhance accuracy of bisection algorithm.

  • eastman4{} group is introduced to allow alternative parametrization of the Eastman-Tiwari-Shur mobility model

  • electron_contact and hole_contact introduced to increase accuracy of quasi-Fermi levels

contacts{}

  • bisection algorithm initializing ohmic and charge-neutral contacts is enhanced

run{}

  • the group becomes required

  • an attribute output_local_residuals is introduced for multiple groups

quantum{}

  • computing matrix elements for multiple polarization in one simulation is again possible within groups intraband_matrix_elements{} and dipole_moment_matrix_elements{}

  • bulk_dispersion{} is moved to classical{}

postprocessor{}

  • entirely new group introduced to generate and run batch scripts after simulations

2023-05-12

optics{}

  • syntax change in k_integration{}: num_integrationpoint is introduced, num_subpoints is removed

  • spin_align is removed

  • occupation_const_fermilevel is renamed to occupation_zero_fermilevel

  • classify_states and classification_threshold becomes available

  • multiple improvements of the model

  • optics for transitions between two 1-band models and between 1-band and 6-band remains under heavy development

quantum{}

  • definition of leads become mandatory for modeling transport with CBR method related syntax becomes improved and contained within a group lead{}

2023-02-20

optics{}

  • bug fix of sweeping bias related while computing optical spectra

  • improvements of excitons{}

currents{}

  • new output group output_forces{} introduced

  • electron_contact and hole_contact are introduced to allow enhanced accuracy for current equation around selected contacts

quantum{}

  • cbr{} group has been moved into the quantum group

  • ldos choice attribute has been added to the quantum{ cbr {} } group

2022-12-20

In this release we introduced further syntax changes aiming at improving clarity of calling models. Selected bowing parameters of band edges has been updated in the default database. Multiple new sample input files are added to the installer. All input files with containing updated syntax.

output{}

  • output{ section1D{} } requires specifying at least two attributes x, y, and z for 3D simulations.

currents{}

  • New high-field mobility models (Hänch, Trensferred-electron, Eastman-Tiwari-Shur) are implemented

  • Improvement of algorithm convergence in case of using high-field velocities

quantum{}

  • Bug fix and syntax change relating computation of lifetimes, see quantum{ region{ lifetimes} } }

  • Model of excitons within effective mass approximation is implemented, see quantum{ regon{ excitons {} } }

optics{}
  • Major syntax change has been implemented. From now on:

    • this group contains all keywords related to optical spectra - groups emission_spectrum{} and irradiation{} are included in this group, see here

    • group region{} has been renamed to quantum_region{}

  • Excitonic effects can be included in spectra computations by calling excitons{} group, see documentation

  • Bug fix related to symmetry attribute

classical{}

  • Major syntax change - groups emission_spectrum{} and irradiation{} has been removed from this group.

  • From now on, this group relates only to choice of band edges and density outputs for semi-classical computations

strain{}

  • strain relaxation is initially implemented for entire by a scaling factor of all tensor elements, see strain{ relaxation {} }

run{}

  • calling quantum-optical simulation has been changed: optics{} is renamed to quantum_optics{}

2022-08-05

In this release we introduced some syntax changes and number of new keywords. Some algorithms got notably improved. We fixed number of bugs.

classical{}

Default behavior of an attribute refractive_index has been changed. New Attributes are:

  • energy_broadening_gaussian

  • energy_broadening_lorentzian

optics{}

Some algorithms have been improved so the group is faster. Number of new keywords has been introduced:

  • enable_hole_hole

  • enable_electron_hole

  • enable_electron_electron

  • photon_spectra

  • power_spectra

  • use_for_emission

poisson{}

Self-consistent algorithm has been improved and convrges quicker. Behavior and way of initialising Poisson-equation solver has been improved. Related groups and attributes are:

  • import_potential{}

  • electric_field{}

  • between_fermi_levels{}

  • charge_neutral{} - it was an atribute before

  • reference_potential

strain{}

Rules of calling inside the group have changed. Related groups are:

  • no_strain{} - a new group

  • pseudomorphic_strain{}

  • minimized_strain{}

  • import_strain{}

2022-06-09

In this release we added support for decadic attenuation units (dB/\(\mu m\)) and new output options inside of optics{} mirroring the corresponding functionality in classical{}. Gain in classical{} is now defined as the positive part of (minus absorption).

classical{}

Introduced attributes are:

  • decadic_absorption

  • decadic_gain

  • decadic_absorption_unit

optics{}

Introduced attributes are:

  • decadic_absorption

  • decadic_gain

database{}

Introduced attribute are:

  • decadic_absorption

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Note

The group contact{ ohmic{} } behaves like contact{ charge_neutral{} } by default since 2019-01-23, and it additionally contains a shift attribute.

Note

Currently, the group contacts{ zero_field{} } behaves like contact{ ohmic{} } before, until 2019-01-23.