Ferromagnetism in hexagonal-close-packed elements

The Stoner theory of ferromagnetism has been applied to 3d transition metals in the hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) phase. The elements Co and Ni (and possibly Cr) are found to be ferromagnetic. A self-consistent calculation of the band structure of paramagnetic hcp Ni revealed the highest-known density of states at the Fermi level of any transition metal in any structure, providing strong evidence for ferromagnetism. A first-principles, spin-polarized band-structure calculation for hcp Ni yielded a stable magnetic moment of 0.76μB per atom and an average spin splitting of 0.1 Ry.