The atomic structure and spin properties of two previously undescribed amorphous silicon dioxide fundamental point defects have been characterized for the first time by ab initio quantum mechanical calculations. Both defects are electrically neutral trivalent silicon centers in the oxide. One of the defects, the X-center, is determined to have an O,Si=SiT atomic structure. The other defect, called the Ycenter, is found to have an OSi,=SiT structure. Calculated electronic and electrical properties of the new defect centers are consistent with the published characteristics of the oxide switching trap or border trap precursors. center.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.