  An extensive search for low-energy lithium defects in crystalline silicon
using density-functional-theory methods and the ab initio random structure
searching (AIRSS) method shows that the four-lithium-atom substitutional point
defect is exceptionally stable. This defect consists of four lithium atoms with
strong ionic bonds to the four under-coordinated atoms of a silicon vacancy
defect, similar to the bonding of metal ions in Zintl phases. This complex is
stable over a range of silicon environments, indicating that it may aid
amorphization of crystalline silicon and form upon delithiation of the silicon
anode of a Li-ion rechargeable battery.
