Using the first-principles particle swarm optimization algorithm for crystal structural prediction, we have predicted a novel monoclinic C2/m structure for ZrB₃, which is more energetically favorable than the previously proposed FeB₃-, TcP₃-, MoB₃-, WB₃-, and OsB₃-type structures in the considered pressure range. The new phase is mechanically and dynamically stable, as confirmed by the calculations of its elastic constants and phonon dispersion curve. The calculated large shear modulus (227 GPa) and high hardness (42.2 GPa) show that ZrB₃ within the monoclinic phase is a potentially superhard material. The analyses of the electronic density of states and chemical bonding reveal that the strong B–B and B–Zr covalent bonds are attributed to its high hardness. By the quasi-harmonic Debye model, the heat capacity, thermal expansion coefficient and Grüneisen parameter of ZrB₃ are also systemically investigated.

The crystal structure of ScB₃ is seeked by combining the developed particle swarm optimisation algorithm for crystal structure prediction with first-principles calculations. A new monoclinic phase with the C2/m symmetry is predicted successfully, which is energetically more superior to the early reported R-3m-, P2₁/m-, P6₃/mmc-, P-6m2-, Pnma-, and Pm-3m-type structures in the pressure range from 0 to 100 GPa. The obtained elastic constants and phonon dispersion curve reveal that the C2/m-ScB₃ is mechanically and dynamically stable. The predicted large bulk module, high shear modulus, small Poisson’s ratio as well as the considerable hardness indicate that the C2/m-ScB₃ has outstanding mechanical property. Meanwhile, the dependences of the bulk modulus and Young’s modulus of ScB₃ on the crystal orientation are investigated theoretically. Through applying the strain–stress method, the ideal tensile and shear strengths along different crystal directions are also estimated, and the obtained results confirm that the shear mode dominates the failure mode in the C2/m-ScB₃ structure and it is intrinsically a hard material. The electronic structure calculation and chemical bonding analysis illustrate that the strong covalent B-B and Sc-B bonds are responsible for its structural stability and high hardness.

An efficient method for generating an intense isolated ultrashort attosecond pulse is presented theoretically. By adding a 267 nm controlling pulse to a multi-cycle two-colour field, not only the spectral cutoff and the yields of the harmonic spectrum are evidently enhanced, but also the selection of the single quantum path is realised. Then a high-efficiency supercontinuum with a 504 eV bandwidth and smooth structure is obtained, which enables the production of an intense isolated 30 as pulse. In addition, the influences of the laser parameters on the supercontinuum and isolated attosecond pulse are investigated.

By combining first-principles calculations with the particle swarm optimization algorithm, we predicted a hexagonal structure for TcB, which is energetically more favorable than the previously reported WC-type and Cmcm structures. The new phase is mechanically and dynamically stable, as confirmed by its phonon and elastic constants calculations. The calculated mechanical properties show that it is an ultra-incompressible and hard material. Meanwhile, the elastic anisotropy is investigated by the shear anisotropic factors and ratio of the directional bulk modulus. Density of states analysis reveals that the strong covalent bonding between Tc and B atoms plays a leading role in forming a hard material. Additionally, the compressibility, bulk modulus, Debye temperature, Grüneisen parameter, specific heat, and thermal expansion coefficient of TcB are also successfully obtained by using the quasi-harmonic Debye model.