Electronic Structure and Magnetic Properties of OsCrMnSb and IrCrMnSb from Ab Initio Calculations

Abstract

The structural, elastic, electronic and magnetic properties of quaternary OsCrMnSb and IrCrMnSb Heusler alloys are performed employing ab initio electronic structure calculations. It has been identified that the YI type is the most stable structure among the three configurations for both OsCrMnSb and IrCrMnSb alloys in the magnetic state. The calculated cubic elastic constants show that these alloys fulfill the mechanical stability criteria. The band structures and density of state calculations reveal the half-metallic (HM) behavior of these alloys with a direct gap, and the half-metallicity is rather originated from the Cr-d states. Results on magnetic properties suggest that OsCrMnSb and IrCrMnSb are HM antiferromagnets. However, the inclusion of spin–orbit coupling affects strongly the IrCrMnSb alloy, losing its HM nature.