Random iron-nickel alloys: From first principles to dynamic spin fluctuation theory

Abstract

We provide a systematic analysis of finite-temperature magnetic properties of random alloys Fe${}_x$Ni${}_{1-x}$ with the face-centered-cubic structure over a broad concentration range $x$. By means of the spin-polarized relativistic Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method we calculate the electronic structure of disordered iron-nickel alloys and discuss how a composition change affects magnetic moments of Fe and Ni and the density of states. We investigate how the Curie temperature depends on Fe concentration using conventional approaches, such as mean-field approximation or Monte Carlo simulations, and dynamic spin-fluctuation theory. Being devised to account for spin fluctuations explicitly, the latter method shows the best fit to experimental results.

7 pages, 3 figures