Modeling Slater‐Pauling curves

The net magnetic moment per transition‐metal (TM) atom in a series of alloys varies with TM content in a way that is readily interpreted in terms of the band model of magnetism. Such Slater‐Pauling‐like curves for glassy metallic alloys of the form TM80P10B101 (at.%) and for crystalline TM borides,2 (TM)2B and TM B, show characteristic departures from the standard Slater‐Pauling curve for crystalline alloys. When metalloids are present, 1) the curves are shifted on a TM‐content scale, 2) their peaks are depressed, and 3) a steeper slope is observed in the data for the metamagnetic alloys (V, Cr or Mn in Fe). To investigate these differences, the rigid band model is examined using three densities of states: D (E) =constant, D (E) ∝1/2, and D (E) ∝E. Assuming the Goodenough3 form of d‐band exchange splitting, Δ, only the latter two densities of states allow for strong ferromagnetism (Δ≳Eo−EF, where Eo is the energy at the top of the minority‐spin sub‐band). These models also that the Goodenough splitting is...