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Electronic structure and magneto-optical Kerr effect of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and Mg{sup 2+}- or Al{sup 3+}-substituted Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}

Journal Article · · Physical Review B

The optical and magneto-optical spectra of charge-ordered magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) below the Verwey transition and Mg{sup 2+}- and Al{sup 3+}-substituted Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} are investigated theoretically from first principles, using the fully relativistic Dirac linear muffin-tin orbital band structure method. The electronic structure is obtained with the local spin-density approximation (LSDA), as well as with the so-called LSDA+U approach for which the charge ordering is found to be a stable solution with an energy gap value of 0.19 eV (the experimental value is 0.14 eV) in contrast to a metallic state given by LSDA. The origin of the Kerr rotation realized in the compounds is examined.

Sponsoring Organization:
(US)
OSTI ID:
40277651
Journal Information:
Physical Review B, Journal Name: Physical Review B Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 64; ISSN 0163-1829
Publisher:
The American Physical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English