First principles study of the structural phase stability and magnetic order in various structural phases of Mn2FeGa. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kundu, Ashis; Ghosh, Subhradip
• Is Part Of: Intermetallics. Volume 93(2018:Feb.)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Magnetism -- Transition metal alloys and compounds -- Phase stability -- Electronic band structure; Intermetallic compounds -- Metallography -- Periodicals; Metallic glasses -- Periodicals; Composés intermétalliques -- Métallographie -- Périodiques; 669.94
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intermet.2017.12.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-9795

Abstract

Abstract: We investigate the structural and magnetic properties of Mn2 FeGa for different phases (cubic, hexagonal and tetragonal) reported experimentally using density functional theory. The relative structural stabilities, and the possible phase transformation mechanisms are discussed using results for total energy, electronic structure and elastic constants. We find that the phase transformation form hexagonal to ground state tetragonal structure would take place through a Heusler-like phase which has a pronounced electronic instability. The electronic structures, the elastic constants and the supplementary phonon dispersions indicate that the transition from the Heusler-like to the tetragonal phase is of pure Jahn-Teller origin. We also describe the ground state magnetic structures in each phase by computations of the exchange interactions. For Heusler-like and tetragonal phases, the ferromagnetic exchange interactions associated with the Fe atoms balance the dominating antiferromagnetic interactions between the Mn atoms leading to collinear magnetic structures. In the hexagonal phase, the directions of atomic moments are completely in the planes with a collinear like structure, in stark contrast to the well known non-collinear magnetic structure in the hexagonal phase of Mn3 Ga, another material with similar structural properties. The overwhelmingly large exchange interactions of Fe with other magnetic atoms destroy the possibility of magnetic frustration in the hexagonal phase of Mn2 FeGa. This comprehensive study provides significant insights into the microscopic physics associated with the structural and magnetic orders in this compound. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Ab initio calculations of structural parameters and ground state magnetic structures in four different phases of Mn2 FeGa. Prediction of a collinear like magnetic structure in the hexagonal phase of Mn2 FeGa. Possible phase transformation path between hexagonal and tetragonal phases of Mn2 FeGa. Understanding of the ground state magnetic structures in different structural phases of Mn2 FeGa from the magnetic exchange interactions. Comparison with Mn3 Ga and understanding the role of Fe in Mn2 FeGa.