Ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of laser melting of silicon

The method of ab initio molecular dynamics, based on finite temperature density functional theory, is used to simulate laser heating of crystal silicon. We have found that a high concentration of excited electrons dramatically weakens the covalent bond. As a result, the system undergoes a melting transition to a metallic state. In contrast to ordinary liquid silicon, the new liquid is characterized by a high coordination number and a strong reduction of covalent bonding effects.