Role of Ga-doping in iron–gallium alloy clusters

The structural and magnetic properties of Fe_n-mGa_m (n=3～6, m=0～2; n=13, m=0～3) alloy clusters have been studied using density functional theory. The substitutional doping is favourable for small clusters with up to six atoms at low Ga concentration and substitutional Ga atoms in 13-atom clusters prefer surface sites. The Ga-doping generally could reduce the energetic stability but enhance the electronic stability of Fe clusters, along with a decrease of the local magnetic moments of Fe atoms around Ga dopants. These findings provide a microscopic insight into Fe-Ga alloys which are well-known magnetostriction materials.