Electronic structure and half-metallicity of the new Heusler alloys PtZrTiAl,PdZrTiAl and Pt0.5Pd0.5ZrTiAl

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of the PtZrTiAl, PdZrTiAl and Pt_0.5Pd_0.5ZrTiAl Heusler alloys were investigated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FPLAPW) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). For the PtZrTiAl, and PdZrTiAl alloys, the results showed that these Heusler alloys were stable in the Type I structure. The (Pt, Pd)ZrTiAl Heusler alloys are found to exhibit half-metallic ferromagnetism for both the Type I and Type II structure. The total magnetic moments of the PtZrTiAl and PdZrTiAl alloys were obtained to be 3 μ_B per formula unit, which are in agreement with the Slater-Pauling rule m_tot = (Nv ? 18). The half-metalliciy characteristic exists in the relatively wide ranges of 6.06–6.78 Å, and 6.13–6.73 Å for the PtZrTiAl and PdZrTiAl alloys, respectively. To complete the fundamental characteristics of these alloys, Pt_0.5Pd_0.5ZrTiAl is predicted to be a half-metallic ferromagnet with an energy gap of 0.90 eV in the minority spin and a complete spin polarization at the Fermi level. These new Heusler alloys may become ideal candidate material for future spintronic applications.     

Electronic structure and magnetism in full-Heusler compound Mn2ZnGe

The first-principle calculations within density functional theory are used to investigate the electronic structure and magnetism of the Mn₂ZnGe Heusler alloy with CuHg₂Ti-type structure. The half-metallic ferrimagnets (HMFs) in Mn₂ZnGe are predicted. The energy gap lies in the minority-spin band for the Mn₂ZnGe alloy. The calculated total spin magnetic moment is −2μ_B per unit cell for Mn₂ZnGe alloy, the magnetic moments of Zn and Mn(B) are antiparallel to that of Mn(A), and we also found that the half-metallic properties of Mn₂ZnGe are insensitive to the dependence of lattice within the wide range of 5.69 and 5.80 Å where exhibiting perfect 100% spin polarization at the Fermi energy.     

First-principle study of the electronic,magnetic and structural characteristics of the Mn2CoAs1−xAlx (x = 0,0.25,0.50,0.75) Heusler alloys

First-principles density functional theory approach is adopted to determine the electronic, magnetic and structural characteristics of the Mn₂CoAs_1−xAl_x (x = 0,0.25,0.50,0.75) Heusler alloys. The computations are carried out by WIEN2k code based on full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method (FP-LAPW). Moreover, the exchange-correlation energy functional is treated at the level of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Analysis of our computed results of the electronic band structure, as well as the density of states of the Mn₂CoAs compound, show it a stable and half-metallic material with an energy band gap value of 0.48 eV. The calculated spin gap values are: 0.627 eV, 0.22 eV and 0.188 eV for Mn₂CoAs_0.75Al_0.25, Mn₂CoAs_0.50Al_0.50 and Mn₂CoAs_0.25Al_0.75 respectively. Furthermore, the calculated total magnetic moment of the Mn₂CoAs (4 µB) is found to be in agreement with the Slater–Pauling rule. Thus, our calculations show the Mn₂CoAs_1−xAl_x (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) Heusler alloys potential materials for near future applications in spintronic because of their half-metallic ferromagnetism property.     

Influence of vacancies on the electronic structure of Co ZrSn Heusler alloys

The electronic structure of the Co_2-xZrSn Heusler alloys has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS valence band spectra can be compared with ab initio electronic structure calculations using the linearized muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) method. The calculated magnetic moments per Co atom agree well with the moments obtained from experiment. The LMTO calculations also show the energy shifts of the Co, Zr and Sn valence electron states towards the Fermi level when the concentration of vacancies increases in these alloys. Received 9 March 1999 and Received in final form 6 May 1999     

Half-metallic properties of the CuHg2Ti-type Mn2ZnSi full-Heusler compound

The half-metallic properties of novel CuHg₂Ti-type Mn₂ZnSi full-Heusler compound were examined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The electronic band structures and density of states of the Mn₂ZnSi compound show that spin-up electrons are metallic, but the spin-down bands are semiconductor with a gap of 0.48 eV, and the spin-flip gap is of 0.28 eV. The Mn₂ZnSi Heusler compound has a magnetic moment of 2 μ_B at the equilibrium lattice constant a = 5.80 Å. The Mn₂ZnSi full-Heusler compound is ferrimagnetic and maintains the half-metallic character having 100% polarization for lattice constants ranging between 5.62 and 6.91 Å.     

Magnetic properties of Mn3Si from first-principles studies

The Heusler compound Mn₃Si, the antiferromagnet in the Mn-based class of Heuslers which contains several conventional and half-metallic ferromagnet, shows a peculiar stability of its magnetic order in high magnetic fields. We investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of Mn₃Si by band structure calculations based on the density functional theory. The minority bands of Mn₃Si in the spin polarized state are gapped at the Fermi level, which shows a half-metallic behavior of Mn₃Si.     

Heusler合金Li2AlX(X=Ga，In)的晶格动力学和电子特性

本文计算了Heusler合金Li₂AlGa和Li₂AlIn的晶格参数、体积模量、体积模量的一阶导数、 电子能带结构、声子色散曲线和声子态密度,并与密度泛函理论中的广义梯度近似计算结果进行比较. 计算的晶格参数与文献有很好的一致性. 两个Heusler合金的电子能带结构表明它们是半金属结构. 并利用声子色散曲线和声子密度图研究Heusler合金晶格动力学. Li₂AlGa和Li₂AlIn Heusler合金在基态呈现动力学稳定.     

Heusler合金Mn2 NiAl的电子结构和磁性对四方畸变的响应及其压力响应

运用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理的投影缀加波方法,对Hg₂CuTi型Mn₂NiAl在由立方结构至四方结构的畸变过程中电子结构和磁性的变化规律及其对压力响应的规律进行了研究.研究发现:在由奥氏体相到马氏体相的相变中,由于Ni-Mn(A)原子间距的减小而使得杂化程度增强,导致占据态的态密度向低能区域移动,体系的能量降低,致使在马氏体相中的稳定性增大;在从奥氏体相到马氏体相的相变中,能带变宽,成键作用加强,从而在马氏体相中的稳定性增大;在四方畸变过程中,总磁矩的变化主要来源于Ni原子磁矩的变化;计算得到Mn₂NiAl的零压体积弹性模量为125.69 GPa,其抗压缩性比其他常见的Heusler型合金弱. 关键词： 第一性原理 电子结构 磁性 四方畸变     

Defects-driven appearance of half-metallic ferrimagnetism in Co-Mn-based Heusler alloys

Half-metallic ferromagnetic full-Heusler alloys containing Co and Mn, having the formula Co₂MnZ where Z is a sp element, are among the most studied Heusler alloys due to their stable ferromagnetism and the high Curie temperatures which they present. Using state-of-the-art electronic structure calculations we show that when Mn atoms migrate to sites occupied in the perfect alloys by Co, these Mn atoms have spin moments antiparallel to the other transition metal atoms. The ferrimagnetic compounds, which result from this procedure, keep the half-metallic character of the parent compounds and the large exchange-splitting of the Mn impurities atoms only marginally affects the width of the gap in the minority-spin band. The case of [Co_1−xMn_x]₂MnSi is of particular interest since Mn₃Si is known to crystallize in the Heusler L2₁ lattice structure of Co₂MnZ compounds. Robust half-metallic ferrimagnets are highly desirable for realistic applications since they lead to smaller energy losses due to the lower external magnetic fields created with respect to their ferromagnetic counterparts.     

Half-metallic ferrimagnetism in Full-Heusler alloy Mn2CuMg

In the paper Ab initio electronic structure calculations are applied to study the electronic structure and magnetism properties of a new Mn-based Heusler alloy Mn₂CuMg. We take into account both possible L 2₁ structures (CuHg₂Ti and AlCu₂Mn types). The CuHg₂Ti-type structure is found to be energetically more favorable than the AlCu₂Mn-type structure and presents half-metallic ferrimagnetism. However, the case of exchanging X with Y atoms in generic formula loses its half-metallicity due to the symmetric surroundings. Calculations show that their total spin moment is −1μ_B for a wide range of equilibrium lattice constants and the total spin magnetic moment is attributed mainly to the two Mn atoms, while the Cu atom is almost non-magnetic. A small total spin moment origins from the antiparallel configurations of the Mn partial moments. The CuHg₂Ti-type Mn₂CuMg alloy keeps a 100% of spin polarization of conduction electrons at the Fermi level, thus opening the way to engineer new half-metallic alloys with the desired magnetic properties.     

Ab Initio Study of the Structural,Magnetic, Electronic,and Thermodynamic Properties of Pd<Subscript>2</Subscript>MnZ (Z = Ga,Ge, As) Heusler Alloys

The results of examination of the structural, magnetic, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of Pd₂MnZ (Z = Ga, Ge, As) Heusler alloys obtained in ab initio and Monte Carlo modeling are presented. It is demonstrated that a stable martensitic state is possible for Pd₂MnGa and Pd₂MnAs alloys. The equilibrium lattice parameter increases in the considered series of alloys with the number of valence electrons per atom (e/a). The Curie temperature of Pd₂MnZ (Z = Ga, Ge, As) alloys is determined using the calculated parameters of exchange interaction and total magnetic moments.     

Structural,electronic, magnetic and thermoelectric properties of inverse Heusler alloys Ti2CoSi,Mn2CoAl and Cr2ZnSi by employing Ab initio calculations

ABSTRACT

The inverse Heusler alloys such as Ti₂CoSi, Mn₂CoAl and Cr₂ZnSi were studied in the framework of density functional theory using FP-LAPW linearised augmented plane wave method in order to determine the different physical properties such as structural, electronic, magnetic and thermoelectric. The generalised gradient approximation (GGA) was used to treat the exchange–correlation energy and the Beck-Johnson (mBJ) approach was used to calculate the electronic properties. In all studied compounds, the stable type Hg₂CuTi was energetically more favourable than Cu₂MnAl type structure. The results show that two compounds (Ti₂CoSi and Mn₂CoAl) are both ferromagnetic (FM) while Cr₂ZnSi is antiferromagnetic (AFM). The compounds Ti₂CoSi and Mn₂CoAl have a total magnetic moment of 3 and 2?μ_B, respectively, whereas the Cr₂ZnSi alloy has a total magnetic moment equals zero. The Ti₂CoSi, Mn₂CoAl and Cr₂ZnSi compounds exhibit half-metallic (HM) character with 100% spin polarisation at the Fermi level. Finally, the semi-classical Boltzmann theory implicit in the BoltzTraP code was used to calculate the electronic transport coefficients such as thermal and electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient and the factor of merit.     

Half-metallic ferrimagnetism in Mn2CuGe

We study magnetism properties and the electronic structure of a new Mn-based Heusler alloys Mn₂CuGe using ab initio electronic structure calculations. We take into account both possible L 2₁ structures (CuHg₂Ti and AlCu₂Mn types). The CuHg₂Ti-type structure is found to be energetically more favorable than the AlCu₂Mn-type structure and exhibits half-metallic ferrimagnetism. Calculations show that their total spin moment is for a wide range of equilibrium lattice constants and magnetic moment mainly comes from the two Mn atoms, while the Cu atom is almost nonmagnetic. The small total moment comes from the antiparallel configurations of the Mn partial moments. And the CuHg₂Ti-type Mn₂CuGe alloy keeps a 100% of spin polarization at the Fermi level. Thus, the Mn₂CuGe is the compound of choice for further experimental investigations.     

Magnetism of Cu2(Mn1−xNix)Sn Heusler alloys

New mixed Heusler alloys of the system Cu₂(Mn_1?xNi_x)Sn were prepared with x = 0–1. Magnetic measurements in the ferromagnetic region were undertaken. For manganese, the only atom displaying a magnetic moment in this row of Heusler alloys, 4μ_B was found, deviations were due to the degree of order. Measurements in the paramagnetic region were not possible because of phase transitions on heating leading to polyphase samples. The critical concentration of magnetic ions was estimated to 13 at.% and compared with models given by Duff and Cannella [6]. With the same plot the Curie point for Cu₂MnSn could be determined (630 K).     

Impact of iron composition on the calculated electronic and magnetic properties of Fe3−xNixSi

ABSTRACT

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Fe_3?xNi_xSi alloys with variable iron composition (0?≤?x?≤?1) have been investigated within by using Projector augmented wave (PAW) method. The exchange–correlation potential was treated with the generalised gradient approximation (GGA) for the calculation of the structural properties and for the computation of the electronic and magnetic properties in order to treat the d states. These alloys crystallize in cubic Heusler structures; The Fe₃Si and Fe₂NiSi have a regular structure DO₃ and L2₁ respectively. To describe the experimental proprieties we use the on-site Coulomb interactions of U_eff(Ni)?=?3.1?eV and U_eff(Fe)?=?3.4?eV. A good agreement between calculated and experimental magnetic moments is found for the cubic Heusler phases without the addition of Hubbard-model. The obtained results of the density of states and the spin-polarized band structure show that the Fe₂NiSi alloy has half-metallic property. Through the obtained values of the total spin magnetic moment, we conclude that in general, the Fe₂NiSi alloy is half-metallic ferromagnet material whereas the Fe₃Si alloy has a metallic nature.     

First-principles investigation of the electronic structure and magnetism of Heusler alloys CoMnSb and Co2MnSb

The spin-polarized electronic band structures, density of states (DOS), and magnetic properties of Co-Mn-based Heusler alloys CoMnSb and Co₂MnSb have been studied by first-principles method. The calculations were performed by using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) within the spin-polarized density functional theory and generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Calculated electronic band structures and the density of states are discussed in terms of the contribution of Co 3d⁷4s², Mn 3d⁵4s², and Sb 5s²5p³ partial density of states and the spin magnetic moments were also calculated. The results reveal that both CoMnSb and Co₂MnSb have stable ferromagnetic ground state. They are ideal half-metallic (HM) ferromagnet at their equilibrium lattice constants. The calculated total spin magnetic moments are 3μ_B for CoMnSb and 6μ_B for Co₂MnSb per unit cell, which agree with the Slater-Pauling rule quite well.     

Half-metallicity and onsite Hubbard interaction on d-electronic states: a case study of Fe2NiZ (Z = Al,Ga, Si,Ge) Heusler systems

DFT-based structural optimisations of Fe₂NiZ (Z?=?Al, Ga, Si, Ge) Heusler compounds confirm the stability of these alloys in F-43m phase. While defining the electronic structure, onsite Hubbard approximation scheme for exchange correlations predicted better results than the generalised gradient approximation. Calculated band structure and densities of states together with spin magnetic moments designate the half-metallic character of these alloys. Indirect band gaps, 1.2?eV for Fe₂NiAl, 0.98?eV for Fe₂NiGa, 1.3?eV for Fe₂NiSi and 1.1?eV for Fe₂NiGe in spin-down states are observed. The ferromagnetic spin moments amount to an integral value of 5μB for (Al, Ga) and 6μB for (Si, Ge) systems with a maximum contribution from transition metal atom (Fe). To forecast the possible turnout of the thermopower, Seebeck coefficients, electrical and thermal conductivities are calculated, which directly hints the thermoelectric response of these materials. This study creates a possibility of these alloys in thermoelectrics and spintronics.     

Structural,electronic, magnetic properties and critical behavior of the equiatomic quaternary Heusler alloy CoFeTiSn

In this article, we study the exchange coupling interactions of the equiatomic quaternary Heusler alloy CoFeTiSn, using the two methods: Monte Carlo simulations and the ab-initio method. In a first step, we use the ab-initio calculations to investigate the structural, the electronic and the magnetic properties of this alloy under the GGA method. The analysis of the energy dependence on the lattice parameter a (Å) of the equiatomic quaternary Heusler alloy CoFeTiSn, is discussed for different atomic configurations. The ferromagnetic configuration is found to be the more stable one, with an optimal lattice parameter value 6.00 Å. On the other hand, the electronic structure results show that the compound CoFeTiSn exhibits a half-metallic character and a spin polarization of 100% at the Fermi-level. The total magnetic moment of this alloy is found to be equal to 2.00 μ_B which follows the Slater Pauling rule. Our results support the half-metallic behavior of the studied material. In order to complete this study, we reported the dependence of the critical transition temperature as a function of the parameter α of the equiatomic quaternary Heusler alloy CoFeTiSn. We showed that the critical temperature increases almost linearly with an increase of the values of the parameter α.     

Origin of the Z−28 rule in Mn2Cu-based Heusler alloys: A comparing study

The origin of the Slater–Pauling curve M_t=Z_t−28 (Here M_t is the total spin moment and Z_t is the number of valence electrons) in half-metallic Heusler alloys Mn₂CuZ (Z=Ge and Sb) has been studied in detail. In Mn₂CuZ the half-metallic gap has a similar origin like half-Heusler alloys. The Cu atom acts as an electron “donator” in Mn₂CuZ, which contributes five d-electrons to the minority spin band of Mn₂CuZ. So there are 14 valence electrons in the minority band of Mn₂CuZ below the Fermi level. This is the origin of the S–P curve M_t=Z_t–28. Finally, it is found that, by partial doping of Cu to the vacant site of half-metallic half-Heusler alloys, the magnetic moments of these can be tuned without destroying the half-metallicity. This can be a possible way to design new half-metals.     

反Heusler合金Ti_2Ru_(1-x)Fe_xSn半金属磁性的第一性原理研究

本文基于第一性原理,通过对反Heusler合金Ti_2RuSn的Y位进行Fe元素掺杂,来探究其掺杂前后的相关特性及掺杂机理,以便寻求半金属性更稳定的Heusler合金材料,为后续相关理论研究及实验提供一定参考.在掺杂过程中随着Fe元素掺杂浓度的增加,反Heusler合金Ti_2RuSn的半金属性并未受到破坏,其带隙反而随掺杂浓度逐渐变宽,从未掺前的0.451 eV展宽到了全掺杂的0.711 eV.为分析掺杂体系的稳定性,我们计算了它们相对于理想反Heusler合金Ti_2RuSn块体的形成能,结果表明,对反Heusler合金Ti_2RuSn的Y位进行Fe元素掺杂可以展宽其带隙,并且掺杂浓度越低,体系相对较容易形成.