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Abstract Ensemble density functional theory (EDFT) is a generalization of ground-state DFT, which is based on an exact formal theory of finite collections of a system’s ground and excited states. EDFT in various forms has been shown to improve the accuracy of calculated energy level differences in isolated model systems, atoms, and molecules, but it is not yet clear how EDFT could be used to calculate band gaps for periodic systems. We extend the application of EDFT toward periodic systems by estimating the thermodynamic limit with increasingly large finite one-dimensional ‘particle in a box’ systems, which approach the uniform electron gas (UEG). Using ensemble-generalized Hartree and local spin density approximation exchange-correlation functionals, we find that corrections go to zero in the infinite limit, as expected for a metallic system. However, there is a correction to the effective mass, with results comparable to other calculations on 1D, 2D, and 3D UEGs, which indicates promise for non-trivial results from EDFT on periodic systems. 

Organic metal halide hybrids with low-dimensional structures at the molecular level have received great attention recently for their exceptional structural tunability and unique photophysical properties. Here we report for the first time the synthesis and characterization of a one-dimensional (1D) organic metal halide hybrid, which contains metal halide nanoribbons with a width of three octahedral units. It is found that this material with a chemical formula C 8 H 28 N 5 Pb 3 Cl 11 shows a dual emission with a photoluminescence quantum efficiency (PLQE) of around 25%. Photophysical studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest the coexisting of delocalized free excitons and localized self-trapped excitons in metal halide nanoribbons leading to the dual emission. 

Abstract Point defects in two-dimensional materials are of key interest for quantum information science. However, the parameter space of possible defects is immense, making the identification of high-performance quantum defects very challenging. Here, we perform high-throughput (HT) first-principles computational screening to search for promising quantum defects within WS₂, which present localized levels in the band gap that can lead to bright optical transitions in the visible or telecom regime. Our computed database spans more than 700 charged defects formed through substitution on the tungsten or sulfur site. We found that sulfur substitutions enable the most promising quantum defects. We computationally identify the neutral cobalt substitution to sulfur (Co$${}_{{{{{{{{\rm{S}}}}}}}}}^{0}$$ ${}_S^0$) and fabricate it with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The Co$${}_{{{{{{{{\rm{S}}}}}}}}}^{0}$$ ${}_S^0$electronic structure measured by STM agrees with first principles and showcases an attractive quantum defect. Our work shows how HT computational screening and nanoscale synthesis routes can be combined to design promising quantum defects. 

1D organic metal halide hybrids (OMHHs) exhibit strongly anisotropic optical properties, highly efficient light emission, and large Stokes shift, holding promise for novel photodetection and lighting applications. However, the fundamental mechanisms governing their unique optical properties and in particular the impacts of surface effects are not understood. Herein, 1D C₄N₂H₁₄PbBr₄by polarization‐dependent time‐averaged and time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy, as a function of photoexcitation energy, is investigated. Surprisingly, it is found that the emission under photoexcitation polarized parallel to the 1D metal halide chains can be either stronger or weaker than that under perpendicular polarization, depending on the excitation energy. The excitation‐energy‐dependent anisotropic emission is attributed to fast surface recombination, supported by first‐principles calculations of optical absorption in this material. The fast surface recombination is directly confirmed by TRPL measurements, when the excitation is polarized parallel to the chains. The comprehensive studies provide a more complete picture for a deeper understanding of the optical anisotropy in 1D OMHHs.