Phase stability and magnetic properties of Mn 3 Z (Z = Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb) Heusler alloys

Abstract

The structural stability and magnetic properties of the cubic and tetragonal phases of Mn 3 Z (Z = Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb) Heusler alloys are studied by using first-principles calculations. It is found that with the increasing of the atomic radius of Z atom, the more stable phase varies from the cubic to the tetragonal structure. With increasing tetragonal distortion, the magnetic moments of Mn (A/C and B) atoms change in a regular way, which can be traced back to the change of the relative distance and the covalent hybridization between the atoms.