Utilization of Complexity to Quantify the Regularity and Stochasticity of Nanocrystal Structure

Based on renormalization group (RG) theory, structures are formed by competing long-range and short-range interactions and features in wide range of scales are correlated. There exists a hidden link between structures across different scales, which can be quantified by exploring the overlaps between different RG layers. This type of quantification is embodied into the concept of complexity, of which the value corresponds to the extent of how a given structure differs from itself across varying length scales.

Using it, we successfully quantify structural complexity of nanocrystals hierarchically and corresponds positively to the regularity and stochasticity characterized by other methods. And the trend of complexity obtained by the novel method correlates well with device performance positively. Namely, stronger stochasticity and lesser regularity identified by higher complexity corresponds to deteriorated device performance.