First principles prediction of the metastability of the Ge2Mn phase and its synthesis pathways

In this letter, we performed first principles calculations to investigate the stability of a [100]-compatible Ge2Mn compound. Based on a thermodynamical approach, we propose and assess the C16 structure (Al2Cu prototype) to be only slightly metastable as compared to the other Ge-Mn compounds. The reported structural and magnetic properties of this Ge2Mn compound make it a potentially interesting compound for spintronic applications, all the more since a simple way to stabilize it as a bulk film is proposed. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3446837]