Investigations on full-Heusler alloys Mn2TaAl and Mn2WAl for spintronic and thermoelectric applications
Xiao-Ping Wei, Xin Liu, Jiao-Yang Zhang, Ya-Ling Zhang, Xiaoma Tao
Abstract
Half-metallic materials are widely used as spintronic devices such as electrodes, magnetic tunneling junction, and giant magnetoresistance. In this work, we have systematically investigated the structural stability, Gilbert damping, electronic structure, and magnetism together with exchange interactions and Curie temperatures for Mn 2 TaAl and Mn 2 WAl alloys. Initially, we estimate their structural stability and offer possible phase synthesis. Subsequently, the Gilbert damping parameters calculated by the linear response theory are used to assess their response speed as spintronic materials. Furthermore, the Mn 2 TaAl and Mn 2 WAl are predicted to be half-metallic and nearly half-metallic ferrimagnets and their total magnetic moments obey the Mt = Zt -18 rule. Accordingly, their Curie temperatures for Mn 2 TaAl and Mn 2 WAl are also evaluated by the mean-field approximation. Finally, their thermodynamic parameters within 0∼600 K and thermoelectric properties within 200 ∼ 900 K are discussed. Overall, our research for Mn 2 TaAl and Mn 2 WAl alloys might provide some valuable clues for their application in spintronic devices.