Maximally-localized Wannier functions in perovskites: Cubic BaTiO

. The electronic ground state of a periodic crystalline solid is usually described in terms of extended Bloch orbitals; localized Wannier functions can alternatively be used. These two representations are connected by families of unitary transformations, carrying a large degree of arbitrariness. We have developed a localization algorithm that allows one to iteratively transform the extended Bloch orbitals of a first-principles calculation into a unique set of maximally localized Wannier functions. We apply this formalism here to the case of cubic BaTiO 3 . The purpose is twofold. First, a localized-orbital picture allows a meaningful band-by-band decomposition of the whole Bloch band complex. In perovskites, these Wannier functions are centered on the atomic sites and display clearly a s, p, d, or hybrid character. Second, since the centers of the Wannier functions map the polarization field onto localized point charges, the ground state dielectric properties become readily available. ..