Electronic, magnetic and optical properties of CoNi spinel ferrites doped by rare earth atoms: a density functional theory study.

Density Functional Theory is employed to investigate how specific rare earth (RE) dopants (Pr, Y, Dy) affect the electronic, magnetic, and optical characteristics of Co_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ (CN) spinel ferrites. The impact of RE atoms, which replace Fe ions in the supercell, is elucidated by analyzing the spin-resolved density of states, magnetic moment, and optical parameters. The findings demonstrate that both single and collective RE doping play a vital role in manipulating the key properties of these materials. Notably, we reveal that incorporating RE dopants into CN structures leads to a reduction in the energy band gap. Additionally, this work underscores substantial spin-dependent behavior and provides valuable insights into optical properties, suggesting that RE-doped CNs hold significant potential in the fields of spintronics and optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]