Magnetic instability in Mn2NiSb

Mn2NiSb can exist in both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic states because there is only a small total energy difference between the two states. In its electronic structure, two different types of energy gaps exist and are close to the Fermi level. The relative position of the Fermi level to the gap determines the ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic state. That is the origin of the magnetic instability in Mn2NiSb. A 70% decrease of the total moment is predicted between the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic Mn2NiSb.