A study of magnetism in disordered Pt-Mn, Pd-Mn and Ni-Mn alloys: an augmented space recursion approach

In this paper we shall study three binary alloy systems, one constituent of which is Mn. The other constituents are chosen from a particular column of the periodic table: Ni(3d), Pt (4d) and Pd (5d). As we go down the column, the d-bands become wider, discouraging spin-polarization. In a disordered alloy, the situation becomes more complicated, as the exchange interaction between two atoms is environment dependent. We shall compare and contrast their magnetic behaviour using robust electronic structure techniques. In all three alloy systems conjectures are made to explain experimental data. In this paper we shall examine whether there is any basis to these conjectures.