Spin-orbit coupling in ferromagnetic Nickel

TL;DR

This paper uses Gutzwiller variational theory to study spin-orbit coupling effects in ferromagnetic Nickel, successfully reproducing experimental magnetic properties and explaining Fermi-surface topology changes under magnetic field rotation.

Contribution

It introduces a non-relativistic variational approach that accurately models magnetic and electronic properties of Nickel, surpassing standard band-structure theories.

Findings

Reproduces experimental magnetic moment direction

Explains Fermi-surface topology change with magnetic field

Identifies discrepancies with earlier dHvA data interpretations

Abstract

We use the Gutzwiller variational theory to investigate the electronic and the magnetic properties of fcc-Nickel. Our particular focus is on the effects of the spin-orbit coupling. Unlike standard relativistic band-structure theories, we reproduce the experimental magnetic moment direction and we explain the change of the Fermi-surface topology that occurs when the magnetic moment direction is rotated by an external magnetic field. The Fermi surface in our calculation deviates from early de-Haas--van-Alphen (dHvA) results. We attribute these discrepancies to an incorrect interpretation of the raw dHvA data.