Itinerant magnetism in metallic CuFe2Ge2

Abstract

Theoretical calculations are performed to understand the electronic structure and magnetic properties of CuFe$_2$Ge$_2$. The band structure reveal large electron density $N(E_F)$ at the Fermi level suggesting strong itinerant character of magnetism. The Fermi surface is dominated by two dimensional sheet like structures, with potentially strong nesting between them. The magnetic ground state appears to be ferromagnetic along $a$ and antiferromagnetic in other directions. The results show that CuFe$_2$Ge$_2$ is an antiferromagnetic metal, with similarities to the Fe-based superconductors; such as magnetism with substantial itinerant character and coupling between magnetic order and electrons at the Fermi energy.