Theoretical study of phase stability, electronic and magnetic properties of Rh$_2$CrGe$_{1-x}$Al$_x$ ($x = 0$, $0.25$, $0.50$, $0.75$ and $1$) Heusler alloys by FP-LAPW method

Abstract

First-principle calculations were performed within the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) using FP-LAPW method as implemented in WIEN2k code to determine the structural stability, electronic and magnetic properties of Rh$_2$CrGe$_{1-x}$Al$_x $($x = 0$, $0.25$, $0.50$, $0.75$ and $1$). The results showed that for Rh$_2$CrAl and Rh$_2$CrGe, the Cu$_2$MnAl-type structure is energetically more stable than Hg$_2$CuTi-type structure at the equilibrium volume. The calculated densities of states for Rh$_2$CrAl and Rh$_2$CrGe show half-metallic and nearly half-metallic behavior, respectively. Rh$_2$CrGe$_{1-x}$Al$_x$ ($x = 0.25$, $0.50$, $0.75$) these alloys show a half-metallic character, and these compounds are predicted to be good candidates for spintronic applications.