Phase Stability in 3d-5d (NiPt and CuAu) and 3d-4d (NiPd and CuAg) Systems

We show the differences in the stability of 3d-5d (NiPt and CuAu) and 3d-4d (NiPd and CuAg) alloys arise mainly due to relativistic corrections. The magnetic properties of disordered NiPd and NiPt alloys also differ due to these corrections which lead to increase in the separation between s-d bands of 5d elements in these alloys. For the magnetic case we analyze the results in terms of splitting of majority and minority spin d-band centers of the 3d elements. We further examine the effect of relativistic corrections to the pair energies and order disorder transition temperatures in these alloys. The magnetic moments and Curie temperatures have also been studied along with the short range ordering/segregation effects in NiPt/NiPd alloys.