Ab initio study of structural, electronic and magnetic properties of XSn$_3$ (X = Gd, Cm) and Gd$_x$Cm$_{1-x}$Sn$_3$ compounds

TL;DR

This study uses ab initio calculations to explore the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of GdSn3, CmSn3, and their mixed compounds, revealing stable magnetic configurations and potential for spintronic applications.

Contribution

First ab initio investigation of GdSn3, CmSn3, and Gd_xCm_{1-x}Sn3 compounds, detailing their properties and magnetic behaviors.

Findings

GdSn3 and CmSn3 are antiferromagnetic and metallic.

Magnetic moment decreases with increasing Cm content.

Properties suggest potential for spintronic applications.

Abstract

In this paper, the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the GdSn$_3$, CmSn$_3$ and Gd$_x$Cm$_{1-x}$Sn$_3$ compounds ($x = 0.25$, $0.5$ and $0.75$) were studied using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method, within the generalized gradient approximation$+U$. The ground-state properties are determined for the bulk materials GdSn$_3$, CmSn$_3$ and Gd$_x$Cm$_{1-x}$Sn$_3$ crystallized in AuCu$_3$-type structure. The calculated structural, electronic and magnetic properties of GdSn$_3$ compound are in good agreement with the existing experimental and theoretical data. It is found that the most stable magnetic configurations of both compounds CmSn$_3$ and GdSn$_3$ are anti-ferromagnetic type A (AFM-A) and have a metallic behavior. The magnetic moment found decreases with increasing the Cm composition in Gd$_x$Cm$_{1-x}$Sn$_3$ compounds. The results show that the GdSn$_3$, CmSn$_3$ and Gd$_x$Cm$_{1-x}$Sn$_3$ compounds share some properties, and may well be useful for spintronic applications.