Over the past couple of decades First-Principles-Calculations have become one of the key research methodologies in condensed matter physics and materials science. Density-functional theory computational codes enable calculations of many properties, which can be either compared to experiment or guide the development of simpler phenomenological models. In this context codes built around the computation of the Kohn-Sham Green Function, in particular those based on the KKR method, give immediate access to spectroscopic properties and careful scrutiny of Fermi surfaces, provide the ideal components for evaluation of transport and response functions and so on.
Green function-KKR codes are especially useful for the study of electron systems with narrow electron bands of d- or f-like character, arising from a sharp scattering resonance of a transition metal or rare earth atom. A host of important new physical phenomena occur when such narrow bands lie near to the Fermi level, including itinerant magnetism, local moment formation, intermediate valence, Mott-Hubbard metal insulator phase transitions and Kondo-like physics and related effects. Treatments of strong electron correlations beyond standard DFT are crucial and new models are being developed. Due to its all-electron nature and often fully relativistic implementation, the KKR method is particularly well suited to study such narrow d- or f-band materials. The experimental study of these materials is one of the largest and most important areas of condensed matter physics, in which major investments have been made in experimental facilities world-wide such as the ESRF and SNS at Grenoble, ISIS and Diamond facilities at RAL, High Field Magnet facilities in Toulouse, and in crystal growth and low temperature experimental facilities at many major European universities. With such a large investment in experimental research in the field, it is crucial to provide training for both experimentalists and theoreticians in the use of computational codes, which are powerful enough to access the unique and varied physical properties of narrow d- or f-band electron materials. Green function-KKR codes are very well suited for this purpose owing to the following specific features:
• The KKR multiple scattering (MS) approach which deals with narrow bands most effectively by associating them with sharp scattering resonances, simplifying the treatment of narrow bands.
• By treating separately (i) the scattering at each atomic site, and (ii) the sum of scattering sites over the entire material, the KKR method, unlike other methodologies, can treat disorder such as that occurring in alloys.
• This same methodology implies that KKR theories can be adapted to describe finite temperature fluctuations and hence provides a route to first-principles treatments of phase transitions described by Landau Theories of symmetry breaking.
• With the use of the Dyson equation for the Green function, the KKR can treat aperiodic perturbations in solids which circumvents computationally costly and approximate supercell approaches (e.g. impurities, disordered alloys, clusters on surfaces, interfaces and truly semi infinite systems).
• Unlike other electronic structure methods which focus on electron wave functions and total energies, MS-based methods yield directly the electron Green’s function and are therefore ideal for calculating spectroscopies, response functions and transport phenomena, such as electrical and spin conductivities.
• In its constant energy (E) mode the KKR is the most efficient band structure method to describe Fermi surfaces. Therefore it directly provides one of the most useful quantities, which experimentalists want to study.
• The KKR method in its fully relativistic implementation has no problems dealing with even the heaviest elements and their compounds, since it is formulated using the Dirac equation for the electrons, in which all spin-orbit effects are fully incorporated.
• It is an all-electron method, so that both core and valence electrons are treated fully, eliminating the need to develop ‘good’ pseudopotentials.
• Electron-electron interaction effects beyond the usual Local Spin Density Approximation (LSDA) can be treated with a variety of methods and new approximations developed.

We propose therefore to organise an intensive 4-day tutorial on Green Function-KKR methods open to both condensed matter theorists and experimentalists to provide training on how to carry out calculations useful for disparate research needs.
A few recent pertinent applications of the Green function-KKR method have been reviewed recently [1] and are also illustrated by the following additional novel publications including calculations of (i) electronic structure of topological insulators [2], (ii) magnetic interactions to determine the magnetic structure of ultrathin magnets [3], magnetic excitations [4] and Gilbert damping in ferromagnets [5], (iii) transport calculations and Berry phase [6] and (iv) angle-resolved photoemission spectra [7]. Moreover recently the dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) for strong electron correlations has been successfully implemented into the KKR [8]. Furthermore, its formal framework makes the KKR the method of choice to describe nanoclusters, surfaces and interfaces, defects and impurities [9].

Program

Monday,
16:00 - 18:00 Registration

Tuesday,
08:00 - 09:00 Registration
09:00 - 09:30 J. Minar Welcome + Introduction
09:30 - 10.30 M. Lueders DFT
10:30 - 12:00 H. Ebert SPR-KKR package and xband
12:00 - 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 - 15:30 Computer session
15:30 - 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 - 16:30 Poster flash presentations
16:30 - 19:00 Poster session

Wednesday,
09:00 - 10:00 P. Dederichs The KKR as a Green's function method
10:00 - 11.00 D. Koedderitzsch Transport
11:00 - 12:00 J. Staunton Magnetic Interactions
12:00 - 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 - 15:30 Computer session
15:30 - 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 - 18:00 Computer session

19:00 - Conference Dinner

Thursday,

09:00 - 10:00 R Zeller KKR and massively parallel computing
10:00 - 11:00 S. Lounis Novel Applications 1 – Magnetic nanostructures
11:00 - 12.00 J. Minar KKR+DMFT/Spectroscopy
12:00 - 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 - 15:30 Computer session
15:30 - 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 - 18:00 Computer session

Friday,

09:00 - 10:00 A. Ernst Novel Applications 2 - Topological Insulators
10:00 - 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 - 12:00 Computer Session
12:00 - 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 - 15:00 Computer session
15:00 - 15:30 Coffee break
15:30 - 16:30 Roundup and Discussions
16:30 Julie Staunton Closing Remarks