Electronic correlations, spectral and magnetic properties of ZrZn$_2$

We present results of a theoretical study of a prototypical weak ferromagnet ZrZn$_2$. We use the density-functional theory (DFT)+dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) method to study the electronic and local magnetic properties. The obtained DFT+DMFT electronic self-energies are Fermi-liquid like, indicating a small effective mass enhancement of the Zr $4d$ states $m^*/m\sim 1.1 - 1.3$ accompanied by partly formed local moments within the electronic states of $t_{2g}$ symmetry. The effect of electronic interaction is shown to be essential for determining the correct topology of some of the Fermi surface sheets, which is changed due to a correlation-induced shift of the peak of the density of states. To study in detail the pressure dependence of the Curie temperature $T_{\rm C}$ and corresponding pressure-induced quantum phase transition, we consider an effective single-band model, constructed using the Zr $4d$ contribution to the total density of states. The model is studied within static and dynamic mean-field theory, as well as spin-fermion approach. We show that the spin-fermion approach yields the pressure dependence $T_{\rm C}(p)$ comparable well with the experimental data, including a first-order quantum phase transition at $p\approx 1.7$ GPa.