Spin-gapped metals: A novel class of materials – the case of semi-Heusler compounds

Gapped metals, a recently discovered new class of materials, possess a band gap slightly above or below the Fermi level. These materials are intrinsic p- or n-type semiconductors eliminating the need for extrinsic doping. Inspired by this concept, we propose the so-called "spin-gapped metals" exhibiting intrinsic p- or n-type behavior for each spin channel independently. Their properties would be similar to the dilute magnetic semiconductors eliminating the requirement for transition metal doping. Here, we demonstrate this novel concept in semi-Heusler compounds using first principles electronic band structure calculations. We comprehensively analyze their electronic and magnetic properties, paving the way for novel technological applications of Heusler compounds.