Phase transition in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of tetragonal Heusler alloys: Rh${}_{2}T$Sb, $T=$ Fe, Co

Abstract

This work reports on first principles calculations of the electronic and magnetic structure of tetragonal Heusler compounds with the composition Rh${}_2$Fe${}_x$Co${}_{1-x}$Sb ($0\le x\le 1$). It is found that the magnetic moments increase from 2 to 3.4~${\mu }_B$ and the Curie temperature decreases from 500 to 464~K with increasing Fe content $x$. The $3d$ transition metals make the main contribution to the magnetic moments, whereas Rh contributes only approximately 0.2~${\mu }_B$ per atom, independent of the composition. The paper focuses on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the borderline compounds Rh${}_2$FeSb, Rh${}_2$Fe${}_{0.5}$Co${}_{0.5}$Sb, and Rh${}_2$CoSb. A transition from easy-axis to easy-plane anisotropy is observed when the composition changes from Rh${}_2$CoSb to Rh${}_2$FeSb. The transition occurs at an iron concentration of approximately 40\%.

arXiv comment15 pages

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• Calculated electronic and magnetic properties of the half-metallic, transition metal based Heusler compounds
• Ab-initio calculations of exchange interactions, spin-wave stiffness constants, and Curie temperatures of Fe, Co, and Ni
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