High-temperature thermophysical properties of γ - and δ -Mn from first principles

Abstract

Thermophysical properties of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$- and $\ensuremath{\delta}$-Mn phases have been investigated using first-principles calculations in their thermodynamically stable temperature range. An adiabatic approximation is used for partitioning of the Helmholtz free energy into electronic, magnetic, and vibrational contributions from the corresponding temperature induced excitations, where the fastest degree of freedom has been included in the slower ones. Namely, electronic excitations (on a one-electron level) have been included directly in the first-principles calculations at the corresponding temperatures. Magnetic excitations in the paramagnetic state then have been taken into consideration in the two opposite limits: localized, considering only transverse spin fluctuations (TSF), and itinerant, allowing for the full coupling of transverse and longitudinal spin fluctuations (LSF). Magnetic contribution to the free energy has been included in the calculations of the vibrational one, which has been obtained within the Debye-Gr\"uneisen model. The calculated thermophysical properties such as lattice constance, thermal lattice expansion, and heat capacity are in good agreement with available experimental data, especially in the case when the itinerant magnetic model is chosen. We also present our results for elastic properties at high temperatures.