Giant magnetic and optical anisotropy in cerium-substituted M-type strontium hexaferrite driven by 4ff electrons

By performing density functional calculations, we find a giant magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) constant in abundant element cerium (Ce) substituted M-type hexaferrite, in the energetically favorable strontium site, assisted by a quantum confined electron transfer from Ce to specific iron (2a) site. Remarkably, the calculated electronic structure shows that the electron transfer leads to the formation of Ce$^{3+}$ and Fe$^{2+}$ at the $2a$ site producing an occupied Ce($4f^1$) state below the Fermi level that adds a significant contribution to MCA and magnetic moment. A half Ce-substitution forms a metallic state, while a full substitution retains the semiconducting state of the strontium-hexaferrite (host). In the latter, the band gap is reduced due to the formation of charge transferred states in the gap region of the host. The optical absorption coefficient shows an enhanced anisotropy between light polarization in parallel and perpendicular directions. Calculated formation energies, including the analysis of probable competing phases, and elastic constants confirm that both compositions are chemically and mechanically stable. With successful synthesis, the Ce-hexaferrite can be a new high-performing critical-element-free permanent magnet material adapted for use in devices such as automotive traction drive motors.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

First-order ferromagnetic transitions of lanthanide local moments in divalent compounds: An itinerant electron positive feedback mechanism and Fermi surface topological change

Around discontinuous (first-order) magnetic phase transitions the strong caloric response of materials to the application of small fields is widely studied for the development of solid-state refrigeration. Typically strong magnetostructural coupling drives such transitions and the attendant substantial hysteresis dramatically reduces the cooling performance. In this context we describe a purely electronic mechanism which pilots a first-order paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition in divalent lanthanide compounds and which explains the giant non-hysteretic magnetocaloric effect recently discovered in a Eu$_2$In compound. There is positive feedback between the magnetism of itinerant valence electrons and the ferromagnetic ordering of local $f$-electron moments, which appears as a topological change to the Fermi surface. The origin of this electronic mechanism stems directly from Eu's divalency, which explains the absence of a similar discontinuous transition in Gd$_2$In.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Magnetic transition in Ni-Pt alloy Systems : Experiment and Theory

We report here the preparation and measurements on the susceptibility, sound velocity and internal friction for Ni-Pt systems. We then compare these experimental results with the first principle theoretical predictions and show that there is reasonable agreement with experiment and theory.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures. submitted to Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Material

Distinguishing erbium dopants in Y2_2O3_3 by site symmetry: \textit{ ab initio} theory of two spin-photon interfaces

We present a first-principles study of defect formation and electronic structure of erbium (Er)-doped yttria (Y$_2$O$_3$). This is an emerging material for spin-photon interfaces in quantum information science due to the narrow linewidth optical emission from Er dopants at standard telecommunication wavelengths and their potential for quantum memories. We calculate formation energies of neutral, negatively, and positively charged Er dopants and find the configuration to be the most stable, consistent with experiment. Of the two substitutional sites of Er for Y, the $C_2$ and $C_{3i}$, we identify the former (with lower site symmetry) as possessing the lowest formation energy. The electronic properties are calculated using the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional along with the Hubbard $U$ parameter {\color{black} and spin-orbit coupling (SOC)}, which yields a $\sim$ 6 $\mu_B$ orbital and a $\sim$ 3 $\mu_B$ spin magnetic moment, and 11 electrons in the Er $4f$ shell, confirming the formation of charge-neutral Er$^{3+}$. This standard density functional theory (DFT) approach underestimates the band gap of the host and lacks a first-principles justification for $U$. To overcome these issues we performed screened hybrid functional (HSE) calculations, including a negative $U$ for the $4f$ orbitals, with mixing ($\alpha$) and screening ($w$) parameters. These produced robust electronic features with slight modifications in the band gap and the $4f$ splittings depending on the choice of tuning parameters. We also computed the many-particle electronic excitation energies and compared them with experimental values from photoluminescence.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure