The Fermi surface of Na_(x)CoO₂

Doping evolution of the Fermi surface topology of Na$_x$CoO$_2$ is studied systematically. Both local density approximation (LDA) and local spin density approximation (LSDA) predict a large Fermi surface as well as small hole pockets for doping levels $x\sim$ 0.5. In contrast, the hole pockets are completely absent for all doping levels within LSDA+U. More importantly, we find no violation of Luttinger's rule in this system, contrary to a recent suggestion. The measured Fermi surface of Na$_{0.7}$CoO$_2$ can be explained by its half-metallic behavior and agrees with our LSDA+U calculations.