title: Predicted pressure-induced s-band ferromagnetism in alkali metals.
abstract: First-principles density-functional-theory calculations show that compression of alkali metals stabilizes open structures with localized interstitial electrons which may exhibit a Stoner-type instability towards ferromagnetism. We find ferromagnetic phases of the lithium-IV-type, simple cubic, and simple hexagonal structures in the heavier alkali metals, which may be described as s-band ferromagnets. We predict that the most stable phases of potassium at low temperatures and pressures around 20 GPa are ferromagnets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Pickard
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Needs