Abstract
A semiquantitative explanation of the observed distribution of magnetism in the transition metals and alloys is made based on a highly simplified quasiparticle band model. It depends on only two parameters, the valence (number of electrons) of the metal and the ratio of quasiparticle interaction strength to band-width, . The quantity increases with valence and also increases as one goes from the transition metals to the transition metals. Ferromagnetism is found to be most likely for those metals with large and a valence well away from five. Antiferromagnetism is found to occur for a valence of around five, as do the more complex states such as the ferrimagnetic and spiral-spin-density-wave states, which are explicitly described. It is suggested that the peak in the specific heat of the transition-metal alloys that occurs as one alloys across the transition series is closely related to changes in the band structure caused by ordering, at least for the Cr-Mn system.
- Received 4 August 1965
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.142.350
©1966 American Physical Society