Theory of localized magnetic moments in metals I finite cluster approach

The origin of localized magnetic moments formation in metals is investigated theoretically using a self-consistent local spin density molecular cluster approach. Clusters with up to 55 atoms are employed to describe isolated impurity local moment behavior in the cases of Fe$\text{Ag}$ and Fe$\text{Pd}$. Densities of states and spin magnetic moments were determined and compared with results of spectroscopic (notably photoemission) and magnetization measurements, respectively. In the case of a noble metal host, the spin magnetization density is found to be highly localized around the Fe site; the iron moment is ≈ 3.9μ_B and the polarization of the host Ag atoms is small. In the case of a transition metal host, the iron moment is ≈ 3.2 μ_B but here the strong hybridization of the Fe-3d and Pd-4d states results in a large induced magnetic moment in the host PD metal — in essential agreement with experiment for this giant moment system.