Electronic structure of the zigzag spin-chain compound In$_2$VO$_5$

Band structure calculations within the local spin-density approximation are presented in order to investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of the zigzag spin-chain compound In$_2$VO$_5$. The essential structural feature of the system is a double chain of VO$_6$-octahedra, which leads to competing intrachain and interchain magnetic couplings. Frustration of the spin-chains is expected for the proposed antiferromagnetic ordering at low temperatures. However, the band calculations show that the experimental room temperature crystal structure is incompatible with antiferromagnetism. Both the intrachain and interchain coupling is found to be ferromagnetic.