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The different magnetic behaviors of LaCoO$$_3$$ 3 films grown on LaAlO$$_3$$ 3 and SrTiO$$_3$$ 3 substrates are related to the Co–O–Co bond angles and the constraints imposed on the Co–O bond lengths by the substrate geometries. The observed magnetic behavior is not consistent with ferromagnetism. Rather, long-range antiferromagnetic order occurs below $$T \approx 90$$ T ≈ 90  K when the Co–O–Co bond angle is greater than 163$$^\circ$$ ∘ , consistent with the behavior of bulk and nanoparticles forms of LaCoO$$_3$$ 3 . A LaAlO$$_3$$ 3 substrate prevents magnetic long-range order at low temperatures near the film–substrate interface and collinear antiferromagnetic sublattices away from the interface. At low temperatures, the antiferromagnetically ordered sublattices are non-collinear in films grown on SrTiO$$_3$$ 3 substrates, leading to a significant net moment. The net moment is controlled by the geometry imposed by the substrate upon which the LaCO$$_3$$ 3 film is grown. Graphical abstract

Curved magnets attract considerable interest for their unusually rich phase diagram, often encompassing exotic (e.g., topological or chiral) spin states. Micromagnetic simulations are playing a central role in the theoretical understanding of such phenomena; their predictive power, however, rests on the availability of reliable model parameters to describe a given material or nanostructure. Here we demonstrate how noncollinear-spin polarized density-functional theory can be used to determine the flexomagnetic coupling coefficients in real systems. By focusing on monolayer CrI3, we find a crossover as a function of curvature between a magnetization normal to the surface to a cycloidal state, which we rationalize in terms of effective anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya contributions to the magnetic energy. Our results reveal an unexpectedly large impact of spin-orbit interactions on the curvature-induced anisotropy, which we discuss in the context of existing phenomenological models., QC 20220617

Curved magnets attract considerable interest for their unusually rich phase diagram, often encompassing exotic (e.g., topological or chiral) spin states. Micromagnetic simulations are playing a central role in the theoretical understanding of such phenomena; their predictive power, however, rests on the availability of reliable model parameters to describe a given material or nanostructure. Here we demonstrate how noncollinear-spin polarized density-functional theory can be used to determine the flexomagnetic coupling coefficients in real systems. By focusing on monolayer CrI3, we find a crossover as a function of curvature between a magnetization normal to the surface to a cycloidal state, which we rationalize in terms of effective anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya contributions to the magnetic energy. Our results reveal an unexpectedly large impact of spin-orbit interactions on the curvature-induced anisotropy, which we discuss in the context of existing phenomenological models., QC 20220617

Curved magnets attract considerable interest for their unusually rich phase diagram, often encompassing exotic (e.g., topological or chiral) spin states. Micromagnetic simulations are playing a central role in the theoretical understanding of such phenomena; their predictive power, however, rests on the availability of reliable model parameters to describe a given material or nanostructure. Here we demonstrate how noncollinear-spin polarized density-functional theory can be used to determine the flexomagnetic coupling coefficients in real systems. By focusing on monolayer CrI3, we find a crossover as a function of curvature between a magnetization normal to the surface to a cycloidal state, which we rationalize in terms of effective anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya contributions to the magnetic energy. Our results reveal an unexpectedly large impact of spin-orbit interactions on the curvature-induced anisotropy, which we discuss in the context of existing phenomenological models., QC 20220617

Curved magnets attract considerable interest for their unusually rich phase diagram, often encompassing exotic (e.g., topological or chiral) spin states. Micromagnetic simulations are playing a central role in the theoretical understanding of such phenomena; their predictive power, however, rests on the availability of reliable model parameters to describe a given material or nanostructure. Here we demonstrate how noncollinear-spin polarized density-functional theory can be used to determine the flexomagnetic coupling coefficients in real systems. By focusing on monolayer CrI3, we find a crossover as a function of curvature between a magnetization normal to the surface to a cycloidal state, which we rationalize in terms of effective anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya contributions to the magnetic energy. Our results reveal an unexpectedly large impact of spin-orbit interactions on the curvature-induced anisotropy, which we discuss in the context of existing phenomenological models., QC 20220617

Curved magnets attract considerable interest for their unusually rich phase diagram, often encompassing exotic (e.g., topological or chiral) spin states. Micromagnetic simulations are playing a central role in the theoretical understanding of such phenomena; their predictive power, however, rests on the availability of reliable model parameters to describe a given material or nanostructure. Here we demonstrate how noncollinear-spin polarized density-functional theory can be used to determine the flexomagnetic coupling coefficients in real systems. By focusing on monolayer CrI3, we find a crossover as a function of curvature between a magnetization normal to the surface to a cycloidal state, which we rationalize in terms of effective anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya contributions to the magnetic energy. Our results reveal an unexpectedly large impact of spin-orbit interactions on the curvature-induced anisotropy, which we discuss in the context of existing phenomenological models., QC 20220617

Magnetic materials offer an opportunity to overcome the scalability and energy consumption limits affecting the semiconductor industry. New computational device architectures, such as low-power solid state magnetic logic and memory-in-logic devices, have been proposed which rely on the unique properties of magnetic materials. Magnetic skyrmions, topologically protected quasi-particles, are at the core of many of the newly proposed spintronic devices. Many different materials systems have been shown hosting ferromagnetic skyrmions at room temperature. However, a magnetic field is a key ingredient to stabilize skyrmions, and this is not desirable for applications, due to the poor scalability of active components generating magnetic fields. Here we report the observation of ferromagnetic skyrmions at room temperature and zero magnetic field, stabilized through interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) between a reference magnet and a free magnet. Most importantly, by tuning the strength of the IEC, we are able to tune the skyrmion size and areal density. Our findings are relevant to the development of skyrmion-based spintronic devices suitable for general-use applications which go beyond modern nanoelectronics.

Magnetic materials offer an opportunity to overcome the scalability and energy consumption limits affecting the semiconductor industry. New computational device architectures, such as low-power solid state magnetic logic and memory-in-logic devices, have been proposed which rely on the unique properties of magnetic materials. Magnetic skyrmions, topologically protected quasi-particles, are at the core of many of the newly proposed spintronic devices. Many different materials systems have been shown hosting ferromagnetic skyrmions at room temperature. However, a magnetic field is a key ingredient to stabilize skyrmions, and this is not desirable for applications, due to the poor scalability of active components generating magnetic fields. Here we report the observation of ferromagnetic skyrmions at room temperature and zero magnetic field, stabilized through interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) between a reference magnet and a free magnet. Most importantly, by tuning the strength of the IEC, we are able to tune the skyrmion size and areal density. Our findings are relevant to the development of skyrmion-based spintronic devices suitable for general-use applications which go beyond modern nanoelectronics.

In this thesis, the magnetic properties of several materials were investigated using first principle calculations. The ab initio method named real space linear muffin-tin orbitals atomic sphere approximation (RS-LMTO-ASA) was used to calculate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of bulk systems, surface and nanostructures adsorbed on surfaces. We have implemented new features in the RS-LMTO-ASA method, such as the calculation of (a) Bloch Spectral Function (BSF), (b) orbital resolved Jij and (c) Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Using (a), we have shown that one can calculate the dispersion relation for bulk systems using a real space method. Furthermore, the dispersion relation was revealed to be existent even for finite one-dimensional structures, such as the Mn chain on Au(111) and Ag(111) surfaces. With (b), we have investigated the orbital resolved exchange coupling parameter Jij for 3d metals. It is demonstrated that the nearest neighbor (NN) interaction for bcc Fe has intriguing behavior, however, the contribution coming from the T2g orbitals favours the anti-ferromagnetic coupling behavior. Moreover, the Fermi surface for bcc Fe is formed mostly by the T2g orbitals and these are shown to be highly Heisenberg-like, i.e. do not depend significantly on the magnetic configuration. Later, the same approach was used to study other transition metals, such as Cr, Mn, Co and Ni. In the end, we have presented the results obtained with the implementation (c). Our results have shown the large dependence of the DMI values, both the strength and direction, with respect to which magnetic configuration they are calculated from. We argue that, for the investigated systems, the non-collinearity induces currents (spin and charge) that will influence directly the DMI vectors., The public defence can also be followed on livestream at Rosetta room, Ång/10239, Ångströmlaboratoriet, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, Uppsala

In this thesis, the magnetic properties of several materials were investigated using first principle calculations. The ab initio method named real space linear muffin-tin orbitals atomic sphere approximation (RS-LMTO-ASA) was used to calculate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of bulk systems, surface and nanostructures adsorbed on surfaces. We have implemented new features in the RS-LMTO-ASA method, such as the calculation of (a) Bloch Spectral Function (BSF), (b) orbital resolved Jij and (c) Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Using (a), we have shown that one can calculate the dispersion relation for bulk systems using a real space method. Furthermore, the dispersion relation was revealed to be existent even for finite one-dimensional structures, such as the Mn chain on Au(111) and Ag(111) surfaces. With (b), we have investigated the orbital resolved exchange coupling parameter Jij for 3d metals. It is demonstrated that the nearest neighbor (NN) interaction for bcc Fe has intriguing behavior, however, the contribution coming from the T2g orbitals favours the anti-ferromagnetic coupling behavior. Moreover, the Fermi surface for bcc Fe is formed mostly by the T2g orbitals and these are shown to be highly Heisenberg-like, i.e. do not depend significantly on the magnetic configuration. Later, the same approach was used to study other transition metals, such as Cr, Mn, Co and Ni. In the end, we have presented the results obtained with the implementation (c). Our results have shown the large dependence of the DMI values, both the strength and direction, with respect to which magnetic configuration they are calculated from. We argue that, for the investigated systems, the non-collinearity induces currents (spin and charge) that will influence directly the DMI vectors., The public defence can also be followed on livestream at Rosetta room, Ång/10239, Ångströmlaboratoriet, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, Uppsala

Ground state magnetic phase diagrams of the square and simple cubic lattices are investigated for the narrow band Hubbard model within the slave-boson approach by Kotliar and Ruckenstein. The transitions between saturated (half-metallic) and non-saturated ferromagnetic phases as well as similar transition in antiferromagnetic (AFM) state are considered in the three-dimensional case. Two types of saturated antiferromagnetic state with different concentration dependences of sublattice magnetization are found in the two-dimensional case in the vicinity of half-filling: the state with a gap between AFM subbands and AFM state with large electron mass. The latter state is hidden by the phase separation in the finite-U case. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

In this thesis, the magnetic properties of several materials were investigated using first principle calculations. The ab initio method named real space linear muffin-tin orbitals atomic sphere approximation (RS-LMTO-ASA) was used to calculate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of bulk systems, surface and nanostructures adsorbed on surfaces. We have implemented new features in the RS-LMTO-ASA method, such as the calculation of (a) Bloch Spectral Function (BSF), (b) orbital resolved Jij and (c) Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Using (a), we have shown that one can calculate the dispersion relation for bulk systems using a real space method. Furthermore, the dispersion relation was revealed to be existent even for finite one-dimensional structures, such as the Mn chain on Au(111) and Ag(111) surfaces. With (b), we have investigated the orbital resolved exchange coupling parameter Jij for 3d metals. It is demonstrated that the nearest neighbor (NN) interaction for bcc Fe has intriguing behavior, however, the contribution coming from the T2g orbitals favours the anti-ferromagnetic coupling behavior. Moreover, the Fermi surface for bcc Fe is formed mostly by the T2g orbitals and these are shown to be highly Heisenberg-like, i.e. do not depend significantly on the magnetic configuration. Later, the same approach was used to study other transition metals, such as Cr, Mn, Co and Ni. In the end, we have presented the results obtained with the implementation (c). Our results have shown the large dependence of the DMI values, both the strength and direction, with respect to which magnetic configuration they are calculated from. We argue that, for the investigated systems, the non-collinearity induces currents (spin and charge) that will influence directly the DMI vectors., The public defence can also be followed on livestream at Rosetta room, Ång/10239, Ångströmlaboratoriet, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, Uppsala

In this thesis, the magnetic properties of several materials were investigated using first principle calculations. The ab initio method named real space linear muffin-tin orbitals atomic sphere approximation (RS-LMTO-ASA) was used to calculate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of bulk systems, surface and nanostructures adsorbed on surfaces. We have implemented new features in the RS-LMTO-ASA method, such as the calculation of (a) Bloch Spectral Function (BSF), (b) orbital resolved Jij and (c) Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Using (a), we have shown that one can calculate the dispersion relation for bulk systems using a real space method. Furthermore, the dispersion relation was revealed to be existent even for finite one-dimensional structures, such as the Mn chain on Au(111) and Ag(111) surfaces. With (b), we have investigated the orbital resolved exchange coupling parameter Jij for 3d metals. It is demonstrated that the nearest neighbor (NN) interaction for bcc Fe has intriguing behavior, however, the contribution coming from the T2g orbitals favours the anti-ferromagnetic coupling behavior. Moreover, the Fermi surface for bcc Fe is formed mostly by the T2g orbitals and these are shown to be highly Heisenberg-like, i.e. do not depend significantly on the magnetic configuration. Later, the same approach was used to study other transition metals, such as Cr, Mn, Co and Ni. In the end, we have presented the results obtained with the implementation (c). Our results have shown the large dependence of the DMI values, both the strength and direction, with respect to which magnetic configuration they are calculated from. We argue that, for the investigated systems, the non-collinearity induces currents (spin and charge) that will influence directly the DMI vectors., The public defence can also be followed on livestream at Rosetta room, Ång/10239, Ångströmlaboratoriet, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, Uppsala

In this thesis, the magnetic properties of several materials were investigated using first principle calculations. The ab initio method named real space linear muffin-tin orbitals atomic sphere approximation (RS-LMTO-ASA) was used to calculate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of bulk systems, surface and nanostructures adsorbed on surfaces. We have implemented new features in the RS-LMTO-ASA method, such as the calculation of (a) Bloch Spectral Function (BSF), (b) orbital resolved Jij and (c) Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). Using (a), we have shown that one can calculate the dispersion relation for bulk systems using a real space method. Furthermore, the dispersion relation was revealed to be existent even for finite one-dimensional structures, such as the Mn chain on Au(111) and Ag(111) surfaces. With (b), we have investigated the orbital resolved exchange coupling parameter Jij for 3d metals. It is demonstrated that the nearest neighbor (NN) interaction for bcc Fe has intriguing behavior, however, the contribution coming from the T2g orbitals favours the anti-ferromagnetic coupling behavior. Moreover, the Fermi surface for bcc Fe is formed mostly by the T2g orbitals and these are shown to be highly Heisenberg-like, i.e. do not depend significantly on the magnetic configuration. Later, the same approach was used to study other transition metals, such as Cr, Mn, Co and Ni. In the end, we have presented the results obtained with the implementation (c). Our results have shown the large dependence of the DMI values, both the strength and direction, with respect to which magnetic configuration they are calculated from. We argue that, for the investigated systems, the non-collinearity induces currents (spin and charge) that will influence directly the DMI vectors., The public defence can also be followed on livestream at Rosetta room, Ång/10239, Ångströmlaboratoriet, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, Uppsala

The ground-state magnetic phase diagram is investigated for the two-and three-dimensional t-t′ Hubbard model. We take into account commensurate ferro-, antiferromagnetic, and incommensurate (spiral) magnetic phases, as well as phase separation into magnetic phases of different types, which was often missed in previous investigations. We trace the influence of correlation effects on the stability of both spiral and collinear magnetic order by comparing the results of employing both the generalized non-correlated mean-field (Hartree-Fock) approximation and generalized slave boson approach by Kotliar and Ruckenstein with correlation effects included. We found that the spiral states and especially ferromagnetism are generally strongly suppressed up to non-realistic large Hubbard U, if the correlation effects are taken into account. The electronic phase separation plays an important role in the formation of magnetic states and corresponding regions are wide, especially in the vicinity of half-filling. The details of magnetic ordering for different cubic lattices are discussed. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The ground-state magnetic phase diagram is investigated within the single-band Hubbard model for square and different cubic lattices. The results of employing the generalized non-correlated mean-field (Hartree-Fock) approximation and generalized slave-boson approach by Kotliar and Ruckenstein with correlation effects included are compared. We take into account commensurate ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and incommensurate (spiral) magnetic phases, as well as phase separation into magnetic phases of different types, which was often lacking in previous investigations. It is found that the spiral states and especially ferromagnetism are generally strongly suppressed up to non-realistically large Hubbard U by the correlation effects if nesting is absent and van Hove singularities are well away from the paramagnetic phase Fermi level. The magnetic phase separation plays an important role in the formation of magnetic states, the corresponding phase regions being especially wide in the vicinity of half-filling. The details of non-collinear and collinear magnetic ordering for different cubic lattices are discussed. � 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd.

In this article we demonstrate, by first principles density functional calculations, the emergence of spin-spiral magnetic order in Mn2NiX(X=Al,Ga,In,Sn) inverse Heusler alloys with the application of pressure. This noncollinearity originates from the features in the band structures and the nesting of fermi surfaces of collinear spin bands. The calculated interatomic magnetic exchange parameters suggest that the frustrations in the Mn sublattice with octahedral symmetry are responsible for the stabilization of a noncollinear state. We propose that the pressure induced stabilization of spin-spiral magnetic order is a general feature of magnetic alloys crystallizing in inverse Heusler structures.

In this thesis, non-collinear magnetism has been studied by using density functional theory and the augmented plane wave method with local orbitals (APW+lo). Two conditions for non-collinear instabilities have been identified in this thesis. First, the Fermi energy should cut through both spin up and down states. Secondly, strong nesting between the spin up and spin down Fermi surfaces is needed. The two criteria described here can be fulfilled by tuning the exchange-splitting and/or by modifying the volume. Calculations on several elements; bcc V, bcc and fcc Mn, bcc Fe, bcc and fcc Co, and bcc and fcc Ni show that a non-collinear state can be stabilized provided that the criteria discussed above are met. More complex materials have also been analyzed in terms of these two criteria. The substitutional alloys TlCo2Se2-xSx are found in experiments to possess spin spiral structures for x = {0-1.5} and at a concentration x = 1.75 the alloys become ferromagnetic. As S takes the place of Se in the crystal structure the distance between the Co layers is reduced and the turn angle of the spin spiral becomes smaller until it totally vanishes at x = 1.75. This thesis show that the evolution of the magnetic structure in these alloys is the consequence of a modification of the distance between Co layers, which induces a change in the interlayer exchange coupling. Fermi surfaces have been analyzed in TbNi5 in order to determine nesting features which would be responsible for the magnetic spin spiral observed in this material. The electronic structure of CeRhIn5 is also reported in this thesis. Furthermore, the 3-k magnetic structure of UO2 was investigated and the crystal field levels were calculated. Transition metal systems such as Fe in the superconducting high-pressure hcp phase and in the fcc crystal structure were also studied. The results obtained for fcc Fe are in accordance with previous reports. However the paramagnetic state in hcp Fe is found to be more stable than

In this thesis, non-collinear magnetism has been studied by using density functional theory and the augmented plane wave method with local orbitals (APW+lo). Two conditions for non-collinear instabilities have been identified in this thesis. First, the Fermi energy should cut through both spin up and down states. Secondly, strong nesting between the spin up and spin down Fermi surfaces is needed. The two criteria described here can be fulfilled by tuning the exchange-splitting and/or by modifying the volume. Calculations on several elements; bcc V, bcc and fcc Mn, bcc Fe, bcc and fcc Co, and bcc and fcc Ni show that a non-collinear state can be stabilized provided that the criteria discussed above are met. More complex materials have also been analyzed in terms of these two criteria. The substitutional alloys TlCo2Se2-xSx are found in experiments to possess spin spiral structures for x = {0-1.5} and at a concentration x = 1.75 the alloys become ferromagnetic. As S takes the place of Se in the crystal structure the distance between the Co layers is reduced and the turn angle of the spin spiral becomes smaller until it totally vanishes at x = 1.75. This thesis show that the evolution of the magnetic structure in these alloys is the consequence of a modification of the distance between Co layers, which induces a change in the interlayer exchange coupling. Fermi surfaces have been analyzed in TbNi5 in order to determine nesting features which would be responsible for the magnetic spin spiral observed in this material. The electronic structure of CeRhIn5 is also reported in this thesis. Furthermore, the 3-k magnetic structure of UO2 was investigated and the crystal field levels were calculated. Transition metal systems such as Fe in the superconducting high-pressure hcp phase and in the fcc crystal structure were also studied. The results obtained for fcc Fe are in accordance with previous reports. However the paramagnetic state in hcp Fe is found to be more stable than

In this thesis, non-collinear magnetism has been studied by using density functional theory and the augmented plane wave method with local orbitals (APW+lo). Two conditions for non-collinear instabilities have been identified in this thesis. First, the Fermi energy should cut through both spin up and down states. Secondly, strong nesting between the spin up and spin down Fermi surfaces is needed. The two criteria described here can be fulfilled by tuning the exchange-splitting and/or by modifying the volume. Calculations on several elements; bcc V, bcc and fcc Mn, bcc Fe, bcc and fcc Co, and bcc and fcc Ni show that a non-collinear state can be stabilized provided that the criteria discussed above are met. More complex materials have also been analyzed in terms of these two criteria. The substitutional alloys TlCo2Se2-xSx are found in experiments to possess spin spiral structures for x = {0-1.5} and at a concentration x = 1.75 the alloys become ferromagnetic. As S takes the place of Se in the crystal structure the distance between the Co layers is reduced and the turn angle of the spin spiral becomes smaller until it totally vanishes at x = 1.75. This thesis show that the evolution of the magnetic structure in these alloys is the consequence of a modification of the distance between Co layers, which induces a change in the interlayer exchange coupling. Fermi surfaces have been analyzed in TbNi5 in order to determine nesting features which would be responsible for the magnetic spin spiral observed in this material. The electronic structure of CeRhIn5 is also reported in this thesis. Furthermore, the 3-k magnetic structure of UO2 was investigated and the crystal field levels were calculated. Transition metal systems such as Fe in the superconducting high-pressure hcp phase and in the fcc crystal structure were also studied. The results obtained for fcc Fe are in accordance with previous reports. However the paramagnetic state in hcp Fe is found to be more stable than

In this thesis, non-collinear magnetism has been studied by using density functional theory and the augmented plane wave method with local orbitals (APW+lo). Two conditions for non-collinear instabilities have been identified in this thesis. First, the Fermi energy should cut through both spin up and down states. Secondly, strong nesting between the spin up and spin down Fermi surfaces is needed. The two criteria described here can be fulfilled by tuning the exchange-splitting and/or by modifying the volume. Calculations on several elements; bcc V, bcc and fcc Mn, bcc Fe, bcc and fcc Co, and bcc and fcc Ni show that a non-collinear state can be stabilized provided that the criteria discussed above are met. More complex materials have also been analyzed in terms of these two criteria. The substitutional alloys TlCo2Se2-xSx are found in experiments to possess spin spiral structures for x = {0-1.5} and at a concentration x = 1.75 the alloys become ferromagnetic. As S takes the place of Se in the crystal structure the distance between the Co layers is reduced and the turn angle of the spin spiral becomes smaller until it totally vanishes at x = 1.75. This thesis show that the evolution of the magnetic structure in these alloys is the consequence of a modification of the distance between Co layers, which induces a change in the interlayer exchange coupling. Fermi surfaces have been analyzed in TbNi5 in order to determine nesting features which would be responsible for the magnetic spin spiral observed in this material. The electronic structure of CeRhIn5 is also reported in this thesis. Furthermore, the 3-k magnetic structure of UO2 was investigated and the crystal field levels were calculated. Transition metal systems such as Fe in the superconducting high-pressure hcp phase and in the fcc crystal structure were also studied. The results obtained for fcc Fe are in accordance with previous reports. However the paramagnetic state in hcp Fe is found to be more stable than

The present thesis concerns method development and applications in the field of first principles electronic structure calculations. Augmented planewaves combine the simple planewaves with exact solutions of the Schrödinger equation for a spherical potential. This combination yields a very good set of basis functions for describing the electronic structure everywhere in a crystal potential. In the present work, developments of the original augmented planewave (APW) method are presented. It is shown that the exact APW eigenvalues can be found using information from the eigenvalues of the APW secular matrix. This provides a more efficient scheme to solve the APW eigenvalue problem, than the traditional evaluation of the secular determinant. Further, a new way of linearizing the APW method is presented and compared to the traditional linearized APW method (LAPW). Using a combination of the original APW basis functions and the so called local orbitals (lo), the APW+lo linearization is found to reproduce the results of the LAPW method, but already at a smaller basis set size. Another advantage of the new linearization is a faster convergence of forces, with respect to the basis set size, as compared to the LAPW method. The applications include studies of the non-collinear magnetic configuration in the fcc-based high-temperature phase of iron, γ-Fe. The system is found to be extremely sensitive to volume changes, as well as to a tetragonal distortion of the cubic unit cell. A continuum of degenerate spin spiral configurations, including the global energy minimum, are found for the undistorted crystal. The in-plane anisotropy of the ideal interface between a ferromagnetic layer of bcc Fe and the semiconducting ZnSe crystal is also investigated. In contrast to the four-fold symmetric arrangement of the atoms at the interface, the in-plane magnetic anisotropy displays a large uniaxiality. The calculated easy axes are in agreement with experiments for both Se and Zn terminated

The present thesis concerns method development and applications in the field of first principles electronic structure calculations. Augmented planewaves combine the simple planewaves with exact solutions of the Schrödinger equation for a spherical potential. This combination yields a very good set of basis functions for describing the electronic structure everywhere in a crystal potential. In the present work, developments of the original augmented planewave (APW) method are presented. It is shown that the exact APW eigenvalues can be found using information from the eigenvalues of the APW secular matrix. This provides a more efficient scheme to solve the APW eigenvalue problem, than the traditional evaluation of the secular determinant. Further, a new way of linearizing the APW method is presented and compared to the traditional linearized APW method (LAPW). Using a combination of the original APW basis functions and the so called local orbitals (lo), the APW+lo linearization is found to reproduce the results of the LAPW method, but already at a smaller basis set size. Another advantage of the new linearization is a faster convergence of forces, with respect to the basis set size, as compared to the LAPW method. The applications include studies of the non-collinear magnetic configuration in the fcc-based high-temperature phase of iron, γ-Fe. The system is found to be extremely sensitive to volume changes, as well as to a tetragonal distortion of the cubic unit cell. A continuum of degenerate spin spiral configurations, including the global energy minimum, are found for the undistorted crystal. The in-plane anisotropy of the ideal interface between a ferromagnetic layer of bcc Fe and the semiconducting ZnSe crystal is also investigated. In contrast to the four-fold symmetric arrangement of the atoms at the interface, the in-plane magnetic anisotropy displays a large uniaxiality. The calculated easy axes are in agreement with experiments for both Se and Zn terminated

The present thesis concerns method development and applications in the field of first principles electronic structure calculations. Augmented planewaves combine the simple planewaves with exact solutions of the Schrödinger equation for a spherical potential. This combination yields a very good set of basis functions for describing the electronic structure everywhere in a crystal potential. In the present work, developments of the original augmented planewave (APW) method are presented. It is shown that the exact APW eigenvalues can be found using information from the eigenvalues of the APW secular matrix. This provides a more efficient scheme to solve the APW eigenvalue problem, than the traditional evaluation of the secular determinant. Further, a new way of linearizing the APW method is presented and compared to the traditional linearized APW method (LAPW). Using a combination of the original APW basis functions and the so called local orbitals (lo), the APW+lo linearization is found to reproduce the results of the LAPW method, but already at a smaller basis set size. Another advantage of the new linearization is a faster convergence of forces, with respect to the basis set size, as compared to the LAPW method. The applications include studies of the non-collinear magnetic configuration in the fcc-based high-temperature phase of iron, γ-Fe. The system is found to be extremely sensitive to volume changes, as well as to a tetragonal distortion of the cubic unit cell. A continuum of degenerate spin spiral configurations, including the global energy minimum, are found for the undistorted crystal. The in-plane anisotropy of the ideal interface between a ferromagnetic layer of bcc Fe and the semiconducting ZnSe crystal is also investigated. In contrast to the four-fold symmetric arrangement of the atoms at the interface, the in-plane magnetic anisotropy displays a large uniaxiality. The calculated easy axes are in agreement with experiments for both Se and Zn terminated