Magnetic structure and equation of state of bcc solid hydrogen: A variational quantum Monte Carlo study

Solid hydrogen in the atomic bcc structure is studied using a variational quantum Monte Carlo approach. Various magnetic phases are investigated at densities between Wigner-Seitz radius of ${\mathit{r}}_{\mathit{s}}$=1.6 and 3.0 a.u. Correlated wave functions of Jastrow-Slater form are used with their antisymmetric part constructed from the Kohn-Sham self-consistent orbitals. A transition from paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic phase at lower density is found at ${\mathit{r}}_{\mathit{s}}$=2.4. There is, however, no evidence for metastable partial ferromagnetic structure.