Abstract
We study the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of the antiferromagnetic-layered oxyarsenide (LaO)MnAs system from the first-principle calculation. The increasing Hubbard energy (U) in the Mn 3d orbital induces the increasing local-symmetry distortions (LSDs) in MnAs(4) and OLa(4) tetrahedra. The LSD in MnAs(4) tetrahedra is possibly promoted by the second-order Jahn-Teller effect in the Mn 3d orbital. Furthermore, the increasing U also escalates the bandgap (E (g)) and the magnetic moment of Mn (μ(Mn)). The value of U = 1 eV is the most appropriate by considering the structural properties. This value leads to E (g) and μ(Mn) of 0.834 eV and 4.31 μ(B), respectively. The calculated μ(Mn) is lower than the theoretical value for the high-spin state of Mn 3d (5 μ(B)) due to the hybridization between Mn 3d and As 4p states. However, d (xy) states are localized and show the weakest hybridization with valence As 4p states. The Mott-insulating behavior in the system is characterized by the E (g) transition between the valence and conduction d (zx) /d (zy) states. This work shows new physical insights for advanced functional device applications, such as spintronics.