An Application of the Coherent Potential Approximation to Ferromagnetic Ternary Alloys

Abstract

The electronic structure of the fcc ferromagnetic ternary alloy systems, Fe x Co y Ni z , Fe x Ni y Mn z and Ni x Co y Mn z ( x + y + z =1) are investigated by the use of the coherent potential approximation. In a wide region of the phase diagram the calculated saturation magnetization of Fe x Co y Ni z is well expressed as a function of the average number of electrons of a given alloy, which is in agreement with experimental data. The magnetic moment of each constituent atom shows an interesting concentration dependence; Co magnetic moment for example decreases to a considerable extent by an addition of a few percent of Fe to Ni-Co. The calculated results of Fe x Ni y Mn z and Ni x Co y Mn z well reproduce the general tendency of the measured saturation magnetization.