  We present results of local spin density approximation (LSDA) pseudopotential
calculations for the perovskite structure oxide, bismuth manganite (BiMnO3).
The origin of the differences between bismuth manganite and other perovskite
manganites is determined by first calculating total energies and band
structures of the high symmetry cubic phase, then sequentially lowering the
magnetic and structural symmetry. Our results indicate that covalent bonding
between bismuth cations and oxygen anions stabilizes different magnetic and
structural phases compared with the rare earth manganites. This is consistent
with recent experimental results showing enhancement of charge ordering in
doped bismuth manganite.
