Electronic, magnetic, and structural properties of L10FePtxPd1-x alloys

We present theoretical and experimental results on the electronic, magnetic, and structural properties of L1(0) FePd, FePt, and FePtxPd1-x alloys. These alloys have large magnetizations and magnetocrystalline anisotropies and as such are potentially technologically important for applications as permanent magnets or high-density storage media. Results of first principles electronic structure calculations show that the system is a strong ferromagnet with an almost full majority Fe band, and that magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy remain large over the range of composition. Total energy calculations predict phase separation on the disordered Pd/Pt layer at low temperatures. Experimental studies using energy dispersion x-ray line scans confirm regions that are Pt rich and Pd rich forming at low temperatures. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.