Structural and Magnetic Properties of Mn2NiZ (Z = Ga, In, Sn, Sb) Heusler Alloys from Ab Initio Calculations

Abstract

The structural and magnetic properties of Mn-based stoichiometric Heusler alloys have investigated by means of ab initio calculations in framework of the density functional theory. First principles electronic structure calculations have shown that Mn2NiZ (Z = Ga, In, Sn, Sb) alloys are ferrimagnets with antiparallel alignment between the Mn atoms. The martensitic transition can be realized in Mn2NiGa and Mn2NiSn alloys with tetragonal ratio of 1.27 and 1.16, respectively. Calculated properties are in a good agreement with available experimental data.