The relation between the density of states at the Fermi level and the sign of the indirect coupling in metallic systems is revisited in the framework of a simple model recently outlined by the authors. It is shown that high density of states tends to favor ferromagnetic structures. Some examples which support this idea are indicated. Finally we develop a phenomenological explanation for the antiferromagnetic → ferromagnetic transition induced by heating equiatomic FeRh. The transition is analysed in terms of the increase in the density of states produced by the giant volume expansion associated with the ferromagnetic phase.
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