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2005-05-11
Above-room-temperature ferromagnetism in half-metallic Heusler compounds NiCrP, NiCrSe, NiCrTe and NiVAs: A first-principles study
We study the interatomic exchange interactions and Curie temperatures in half-metallic semi Heusler compounds NiCrZ (Z=P, Se, Te) and NiVAs. The study is performed within the framework of density functional theory. The calculation of exchange parameters is based on the frozen-magnon approach. It is shown that the exchange interactions in NiCrZ vary strongly depending on the Z constituent. The Curie temperature, Tc, is calculated within the mean field and random phase approximations. The difference between two estimations is related to the properties of the exchange interactions. The predicted Curie temperatures of all four systems are considerably higher than room temperature. The relation between the half-metallicity and the value of the Curie temperature is discussed. The combination of a high spin-polarization of charge carriers and a high Curie temperature makes these Heusler alloys interesting candidates for spintronics applications.
0505299v1
2006-11-17
Electronic structure of half-metallic magnets
We have analyzed the electronic structure of half-metallic magnets based on first principles electronic structure calculations of a series of semi-Heusler alloys. The characteristic feature of the electronic structure of semi-Heusler systems is a d-d gap in the density of states lying at/close to the Fermi level depending on the number of valence electrons. We have employed various indicators of chemical bonding to understand the origin of the gap in these systems, which is crucial for their half-metallic property. The density of states of other half-metallic magnets also supports a gap and it is a generic feature of these systems. We have discussed in some details the origin of magnetism, in particular, how the presence of the gap is crucial to stabilize half-metallic ferro and ferri magnetism in these systems. Finally, we have studied the role of magnetic impurities in semiconducting semi-Heusler systems. We show with the aid of model supercell calculations that these systems are not only ferromagnetic but also half-metallic with possibly high Curie temperature.
0611476v1
2013-04-12
Crossover of magnetoresistance in the zerogap half-metallic Heusler alloy Fe2CoSi
This work reports on the band structure and magneto-transport investigations of the inverse Heusler compound Fe2CoSi. The first-principles calculations reveal that Fe2CoSi has a very peculiar band structure with a conducting property in the majority spin channel and a nearly zero bandgap in the minority spin channel. The synthesized Fe2CoSi sample shows a high-ordered inverse Heusler structure with a magnetic moment of 4.88 {\mu}B at 5 K and a high Curie temperature of 1038 K. With increasing temperature, a crossover from positive to negative magnetoresistance (MR) is observed. Complemented with the Hall effect measurements, we suggest the intriguing crossover of MR can be ascribed to the dominant spin carriers changing from the gapless minority spin channel to the majority spin channel at Fermi level.
1304.3517v1
2013-04-16
Kinetic arrest related to a first-order ferrimagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition in the Heusler compound Mn2PtGa
We report a magnetization study of the Heusler compound Mn2PtGa that shows the existence of a magnetic-glass state. Mn2PtGa shows a first-order ferromagnetic (FM)/ferrimagnetic (FI) to antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition in contrast to the martensitic structural transition observed in several Heusler alloys. The kinetic arrest of this first-order FM (FI) to AFM transition leads to the observed magnetic-glass behavior. We show that the strength of the applied magnetic field, which is the primary parameter to induce the magnetic-glass state, is also responsible for the stability of the supercooled FM (FI) phase in time.
1304.4459v1
2013-09-24
Electronic structure and magnetism of new scandium-based full Heusler compounds: Sc2CoZ (Z=Si, Ge, Sn)
First principles FPLAPWcalculations were performed in the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT), to study the electronic structures and magnetic properties for the new full-Heusler compounds: Sc2CoZ (Z=Si, Ge, Sn). The investigated materials are stable against decomposition, in ferromagnetic configuration and crystallize in the inverse Heusler structures. The half-metallic properties as function of the variation of unit cell volumes are analysed regarding the fourth main group constituent elements. The electronic structure calculations for Sc2CoSi and Sc2CoSn show half-metallic characters, with indirect band gaps of 0.544 eV and 0.408 eV at optimized lattice parameters of 6.28 A and 6.62 A, respectively. For Sc2CoGe compound, the Fermi energy is not pinned inside the energy band gap from minority density of states, neither for unit cell contraction or for enlargement. The calculated total magnetic moments are 1muB/f.u., for all compounds, in agreement with Slater-Pauling rule.
1309.6256v3
2018-10-11
Unconventional transport behavior in the Quaternary Heusler compounds CoFeTiSn and CoFeVGa
We report here the electrical transport and magnetic properties of the newly synthesized quaternary Heusler compound CoFeTiSn and CoFeVGa. We observe a striking change in the electronic transport properties of CoFeTiSn as the system undergoes the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition. While the sample shows an activated semiconducting behaviour in the paramagnetic phase, it turns abruptly to a metallic phase with the onset of ferromagnetic transition. We have compared the system with other Hesuler compounds showing similar anomaly in transport, and it appears that CoFeTiSn has much similarities with the Fe$_2$VAl compound having pseudogap in the paramagnetic phase. In sharp contrast, CoFeVGa shows a predominantly semiconducting behaviour down to 90 K, below which it shows a window of metallic region. Both the compositions show negative Seebeck coefficient varying linearly with temperature. The value of the Seebeck coefficient of CoFeTiSn is comparable to that of many Heusler alloys identified as potential thermoelectric materials.
1810.04865v1
2019-04-03
Observation of Topological Hall Effect and Signature of Room Temperature Antiskyrmions in Mn-Ni-Ga D2d Heusler magnets
Topologically stable nontrivial spin structures, such as skyrmions and antiskyrmions, display a large topological Hall effect owing to their quantized topological charge. Here, we present the finding of a large topological Hall effect beyond room temperature in the tetragonal phase of a Mn-Ni-Ga based ferrimagnetic Heusler shape memory alloy system. The origin of the field induced topological phase, which is also evidenced by the appearance of dips in the ac-susceptibility measurements, is attributed to the presence of magnetic antiskyrmions driven by D2d symmetry of the inverse Heusler tetragonal phase. Detailed micromagnetic simulations asserts that the antiskyrmionic phase is stabilized as a result of interplay among inhomogeneous Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, the Heisenberg exchange, and the magnetic anisotropy energy. The robustness of the present result is demonstrated by stabilizing the antiskyrmion hosting tetragonal phase up to a temperature as high as 550 K by marginally varying the chemical composition, thereby driving us a step closer to the realization of ferrimagnetic antiskyrmion based racetrack memory.
1904.01894v1
2024-03-12
Ferrimagnetic Heusler tunnel junctions with fast spin-transfer torque switching enabled by low magnetization
Magnetic random access memory that uses magnetic tunnel junction memory cells is a high performance, non-volatile memory technology that goes beyond traditional charge-based memories. Today its speed is limited by the high magnetization of the memory storage layer. Here we show that fast and highly reliable switching is possible using a very low magnetization ferrimagnetic Heusler alloy, Mn3Ge. Moreover, the tunneling magnetoresistance is the highest yet achieved for a ferrimagnetic material at ambient temperature. Furthermore, the devices were prepared on technologically relevant amorphous substrates using a novel combination of a nitride seed layer and a chemical templating layer. These results show a clear path to the lowering of switching currents using ferrimagnetic Heusler materials and, therefore, to the scaling of high performance magnetic random access memories beyond those nodes possible with ferromagnetic devices.
2403.08112v1
2001-03-23
Premartensitic Transition in Ni2+xMn1-xGa Heusler Alloys
The temperature dependencies of the resistivity and magnetization of a series of Ni2+XMn1-XGa (X = 0 - 0.09) alloys were investigated. Along with the anomalies associated with ferromagnetic and martensitic transitions, well-defined anomalies were observed at the temperature of premartensitic transformation. The premartensitic phase existing in a temperature range 200 - 260 K in the stoichiometric Ni2MnGa is suppressed by the martensitic phase with increasing Ni content and vanishes in Ni2.09Mn0.91Ga composition.
0103483v1
2002-02-27
Electronic Structure and Charge Dynamics of Huesler Alloy Fe2TiSn Probed by Infrared and Optical Spectroscopy
We report on the electrodynamics of a Heusler alloy Fe2TiSn probed over four decades in energy: from the far infrared to the ultraviolet. Our results do not support the suggestion of Kondo-lattice behavior inferred from specific heat measurements. Instead, we find a conventional Drude-like response of free carriers, with two additional absorption bands centered at around 0.1 and 0.87 eV. The latter feature can be interpreted as excitations across a pseudogap, in accord with band structure calculations.
0202512v2
2004-07-07
A critical discussion of calculated modulated structures, Fermi surface nesting and phonon softening in magnetic shape memory alloys Ni$_2$Mn(Ga, Ge, Al) and Co$_2$Mn(Ga, Ge)
A series of first principles calculations have been carried out in order to discuss electronic structure, phonon dynamics, structural instabilities and the nature of martensitic transformations of the Heusler alloys Ni$_2$Mn(Ga, Ge, Al) and Co$_2$Mn(Ga, Ge). The calculations show that besides electronic pecularities like Fermi--surface nesting, hybridizing optical and acoustic phonon modes are important for the stabilization of the modulated martensitic structures.
0407157v1
2007-11-19
Room Temperature Magnetocaloric Effect in Ni-Mn-In
We have studied the effect of magnetic field on a non-stoichiometric Heusler alloy Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15}$ that undergoes a martensitic as well as a magnetic transition near room temperature. Temperature dependent magnetization measurements demonstrate the influence of magnetic field on the structural phase transition temperature. From the study of magnetization as a function of applied field, we show the occurrence of inverse-magnetocaloric effect associated with this magneto-structural transition. The magnetic entropy change attains a value as high as 25 J/kg-K (at 5 T field) at room temperature as the alloy transforms from the austenitic to martensitic phase with a concomitant magnetic ordering.
0711.2896v1
2017-07-26
Magnetism from intermetallics and perovskite oxides
This work has been presented by RJCV to obtain his PhD degree at Fluminense Federal University, in March of 2017. We focused on the synthesis of compounds and then on their magneto-strucutral characterization; mainly due to the interplay of these physical properties. We have prepared intermetallic alloys (including Heusler alloys) and perovskite oxides (manganites and cobaltites); in bulk and nanoparticles. A thorough analysis of the influence of the morphology and crystal structure on the magnetic properties of these compounds is addressed.
1707.09868v2
2016-12-22
Ab initio Study of Effect of Co Substitution on the Magnetic Properties of Ni and Pt-based Heusler Alloys
Using density functional theory based calculations, we have carried out in-depth studies of effect of Co substitution on the magnetic properties of Ni and Pt-based shape memory alloys. We show the systematic variation of the total magnetic moment, as a function of Co doping. A detailed analysis of evolution of Heisenberg exchange coupling parameters as a function of Co doping has been presented here. The strength of RKKY type of exchange interaction is found to decay with the increase of Co doping.
1612.07518v1
2007-07-05
Engineering the electronic, magnetic and gap-related properties of the quinternary half-metallic Heusler alloys
We review the electronic and magnetic properties of the quinternary full Heusler alloys of the type Co$_2$[Cr$_{1-x}$Mn$_x$][Al$_{1-y}$Si$_y$] employing three different approaches : (i) the coherent potential approximation (CPA), (ii) the virtual crystal approximation (VCA), and (iii) supercell calculations (SC). All three methods give similar results and the local environment manifested itself only for small details of the density of states. All alloys under study are shown to be half-metals and their total spin moments follow the so-called Slater-Pauling behavior of the ideal half-metallic systems. We especially concentrate on the properties related to the minority-spin band-gap. We present the possibility to engineer the properties of these alloys by changing the relative concentrations of the low-valent transition metal and $sp$ atoms in a continuous way. Our results show that for realistic applications, ideal are the compounds rich in Si and Cr since they combine large energy gaps (around 0.6 eV), robust half-metallicity with respect to defects (the Fermi level is located near the middle of the gap) and high values of the majority-spin density of states around the Fermi level which are needed for large values of the perfectly spin-polarized current in spintronic devices like spin-valves or magnetic tunnel junctions.
0707.0728v1
2015-01-22
High spin polarization and large spin splitting in equiatomic quaternary CoFeCrAl Heusler alloy
In this paper, we investigate CoFeCrAl alloy by means of various experimental techniques and ab-initio calculations to look for half-metallic nature. The alloy is found to exist in the cubic Heusler structure, with presence of B2 ordering. Saturation magnetization (MS) value of about 2 Bohr magneton/f.u. is observed at 8 K under ambient pressure, which is in good agreement with the Slater-Pauling rule. MS values are found to be independent of pressure, which is a prerequisite for half-metals. The ab-initio electronic structure calculations predict half-metallic nature for the alloy with a spin slitting energy of 0.31 eV. Importantly, this system shows a high current spin polarization value of 0.67 [with error of 0.02], as deduced from the point contact Andreev reflection (PCAR) measurements. Linear dependence of electrical resistivity with temperature indicates the possibility of reasonably high spin polarization at elevated temperatures (~150 K) as well. All these suggest that CoFeCrAl is a promising material for the spintronic devices.
1501.05599v1
2017-12-05
Peculiarities of the electronic transport in half-metallic Co-based Heusler alloys
Electrical, magnetic and galvanomagnetic properties of half-metallic Heusler alloys of Co$_2$YZ (Y = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Z = Al, Si, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Sb) were studied in the temperature range 4.2--900 K and in magnetic fields of up to 100 kOe. It was found that varying Y in affects strongly the electric resistivity and its temperature dependence $\rho(T)$, while this effect is not observed upon changing Z. When Y is varied, extrema (maximum or minimum) are observed in $\rho(T)$ near the Curie temperature $T_C$. At $T < T_C$, the $\rho(T)$ behavior can be ascribed to a change in electronic energy spectrum near the Fermi level. The coefficients of the normal and anomalous Hall effect were determined. It was shown that the latter coefficient, $R_S$, is related to the residual resistivity $\rho_0$ by a power law $R_S \sim \rho_0^k/M_S$ with $M_S$ the spontaneous magnetization. The exponent $k$ was found to be 1.8 for Co$_2$FeZ alloys, which is typical for asymmetric scattering mechanisms, and 2.9 for Co$_2$YAl alloys, which indicates an additional contribution to the anomalous Hall effect. The temperature dependence of resistivity at low temperatures is analyzed and discussed in the framework of the two-magnon scattering theory.
1712.01584v1
2021-07-24
Unravelling the phonon scattering mechanism in Half-Heusler alloys ZrCo1-xIrxSb (x = 0, 0.1, and 0.25)
Insight about the scattering mechanisms responsible for reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity (\k{appa}L) in Half-Heusler alloys (HHA) is imperative. In this context, we have thoroughly investigated the temperature response of thermal conductivity of ZrCo1-xIrxSb (x = 0, 0.1 and 0.25). For ZrCoSb, \k{appa}L is found to be ~15.13 W/m-K at 300 K, which is drastically reduced to ~4.37 W/m-K in ZrCo0.9Ir0.1Sb. This observed reduction is ascribed to softening of acoustic phonon modes and point defect scattering, on substitution of heavier mass. However, no further reduction in \k{appa}L is observed in ZrCo0.75Ir0.25Sb, because of identical scattering parameter. This has been elucidated based on the Klemens Callaway model. Also, in the parent alloy, phonon-phonon scattering mechanism plays a significant role in heat conduction process, whereas in Ir substituted alloys, point defect scattering (below 500 K) and phonon-phonon scattering (above 750 K) are the dominant scattering mechanisms. The minimum \k{appa}L is found to be ~1.73 W/m-K (at 950 K) in ZrCo0.9Ir0.1Sb, which is the lowest reported value till now, for n-type Zr based HHA. Our studies indicate that partial substitution of heavier mass element Ir at Co-site effectively reduces the \k{appa}L of n-type ZrCoSb, without modifying the nature of charge carriers.
2107.11567v1
2019-04-24
Exotic magnetic behaviour and evidence of cluster glass and Griffiths like phase in Heusler alloys Fe2-xMnxCrAl
We present a detailed study of structural, magnetic and thermodynamic properties of a series of Heusler alloys Fe2-xMnxCrAl (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1). Structural investigation of this series is carried out using high resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Results suggest that with increasing Mn concentration, the L21 structure of Fe2CrAl is destabilized. The DC magnetization results show a decrement in paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) phase transition temperature (TC) with increasing Mn concentration. From the systematic analysis of magnetic memory effect, heat capacity, time dependent magnetization, and DC field dependent AC susceptibility studies it is observed that, Fe2CrAl exhibits cluster glass(CG)-like transition approximately at 3.9 K (Tf2). The alloys, Fe1.75Mn0.25CrAl and Fe1.5Mn0.5CrAl exhibit double CG-like transitions near Tf1~22 K, Tf2~4.2 K and Tf1~30.4 K, Tf2~9.5 K respectively, however, in Fe1.25Mn0.75CrAl, a single CG-like transition is noted at Tf2~11.5 K below TC. Interestingly, FeMnCrAl shows the absence of long ranged magnetic ordering and this alloy undergoes three CG-like transitions at ~ 22 K (Tf*), 16.6 K (Tf1) and 11 K (Tf2). At high temperatures, a detailed analysis of temperature response of inverse DC susceptibility clearly reveals the observation of Griffiths phase (GP) above 300 K (T*) in Fe2CrAl and this phase persists with Mn concentration with a decrement in T*.
1904.10648v2
2018-08-07
Theoretical Investigation on the Effect of multinary Isoelectronic Substitution on TiCoSb based half-Heusler alloys
To understand the effect of isoelectronic substitution on thermoelectric properties of TiCoSb based half - Heusler (HH) alloys, we have systematically studied the transport properties with substitution of Zr at Ti and Bi at Sb sites. The electronic structure of TixZr1-xCoSbxBi1-x (x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) and parent TiCoSb are investigated using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method and the thermoelectric transport properties are calculated on the basis of semiclassical Boltzmann transport theory. The band analysis of the calculated band structures reveal that TixZr1-xCoSbxBi1-x has semiconducting behavior with indirect band gap at x = 0.25, 0.5 concentration and direct band gap behavior at x = 0.75 concentration. The TixZr1-xCoSbxBi1-x (x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) compounds show smaller band gap values as compared to the pure TiCoSb. The d electrons of Ti/Zr and Co dominate the electronic transport properties of TixZr1-xCoSbxBi1-x system. All these systems follow the empirical rule of 18 valence-electron content to bring semiconductivity in HH alloys. The isoelectronic substitution in TiCoSb can tune the band structure by shifting the Fermi level. This provides us lot of possibilities to get the desired band gap values for designing thermoelectrics with high efficiency. In this study we have showed that the isoelectronic substitution at both Ti and Sb site of TiCoSb has very small effect for increasing the ZT values and one should go for isoelectronic substitution at any one sites of TiCoSb HH alloys alone to improve ZT.
1808.02514v1
2018-04-15
$\mathrm{Co_2Fe_{1-x}Cr_xSi}$ Heusler Alloys : A promising material for spintronics application
In this article, we investigated the effect of Cr substitution in place of Fe on the structural, magnetic and transport properties of $\mathrm{Co_2FeSi}$ alloy. A comprehensive structural analysis is done using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Quaternary Heusler compounds $\mathrm{Co_2Fe_{1-x}Cr_xSi}$ with Cr content (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) were found to crystallize in cubic structure. The synchrotron based EXAFS studies reveal that the anti-site disorder increases with the increase in Cr concentration. The saturation magnetization values in all the alloys are found to be less than those expected from the Slater-Pauling rule, which may be due to the some inherent disorder. A detailed resistivity analysis in the temperature range of 5-300 K is done, taking into account different scattering mechanisms. The residual resistivity ratio is found to decrease with increasing Cr concentration. A disorder induced resistivity minimum due to weak localization effect is seen for x = 0.5. The resistivity measurements also indicate that the half-metallic character survives upto 100 K for x = 0.1, whereas the alloys with x= 0.3 and 0.5 show signature of half- metallic nature even at higher temperatures. First principles calculation done with a more robust exchange correlation functional (namely HSE-06) confirms the half metallicity in the entire concentration range. Theoretically simulated band gap and magnetic moments compliment the experimental findings and are compared wherever possible. All these properties make $\mathrm{Co_2Fe_{1-x}Cr_xSi}$ a promising material for spintronics application.
1804.05321v1
2019-08-21
Half-metallic ferromagnetism and Ru-induced localization in quaternary Heusler alloy CoRuMnSi
We report a combined theoretical and experimental investigation of half-metallic ferromagnetism in equiatomic quaternary Heusler alloy CoRuMnSi. Room temperature XRD analysis reveals that the alloy crystallizes in L21 disorder instead of pristine Y-type structure due to 50% swap disorder between the tetrahedral sites, i.e., Co and Ru atoms. Magnetization measurements reveal a net magnetization of 4 $\mu_B$ with Curie temperature of ~780 K. Resistivity measurement reveals the presence of localization effect below 35 K while above 100 K, a linear dependence is observed. Resistivity behavior indicates the absence of single magnon scattering, which indirectly supports the half-metallic nature. The majority spin band near the Fermi level clearly indicates the overlap of flat eg bands with sharply varying conduction bands that are responsible for the localization. In-depth analysis of the projected atomic d-orbital character of band structure reveals unusual bonding, giving rise to the flat eg bands purely arising out of Ru ions. Co-Ru swap disorder calculations indicate the robustness of half-metallic nature, even when the structure changes from Y-type to L21-type, with no major change in the net magnetization of the system. Thus, robust half-metallic nature, stable structure, and high Curie temperature make this alloy quite a promising candidate to be used as a source of highly spin-polarized currents in spintronic applications.
1908.07804v1
2021-07-31
Optical phonon modes assisted thermal conductivity in p-type ZrIrSb Half-Heusler alloy: A combined experimental and computational study
Half Heusler (HH) alloys with 18 valence electron count have attracted significant interest in the area of research related to thermoelectrics. Understanding the novel transport properties exhibited by these systems with semiconducting ground state is an important focus area in this field. Large thermal conductivity shown by most of the HH alloy possesses a major hurdle in improving the figure of merit (ZT). Additionally, understanding the mechanism of thermal conduction in heavy constituents HH alloys is an interesting aspect. Here, we have investigated the high temperature thermoelectric properties of ZrIrSb through experimental studies, phonon dispersion and electronic band structure calculations. ZrIrSb is found to exhibit substantially lower magnitude of resistivity and Seebeck coefficient near room temperature, owing to existence of anti-site disorder between Ir/Sb and vacant sites. Interestingly, in ZrIrSb, lattice thermal conductivity is governed by coupling between the acoustic and low frequency optical phonon modes, which originates due to heavier Ir/Sb atoms. This coupling leads to an enhancement in the Umklapp processes due to the optical phonon excitations near zone boundary, resulting in a lower magnitude of \k{appa}L. Our studies point to the fact that the simultaneous existence of two heavy mass elements within a simple unit cell can substantially decrease the lattice degrees of freedom.
2108.00210v1
2023-04-11
Additive manufacturing of Ni-Mn-Sn shape memory Heusler alloy -- Microstructure and magnetic properties from powder to printed parts
Ni-Mn-based Heusler alloys like Ni-Mn-Sn show an elastocaloric as well as magnetocaloric effect during the magneto-structural phase transition, making this material interesting for solid-state cooling application. Material processing by additive manufacturing can overcome difficulties related to machinability of the alloys, caused by their intrinsic brittleness. Since the magnetic properties and transition temperature are highly sensitive to the chemical composition, it is essential to understand and monitoring these properties over the entire processing chain. In the present work the microstructural and magnetic properties from gas-atomized powder to post-processed Ni-Mn-Sn alloy are investigated. Direct energy deposition was used for processing, promoting the evolution of a polycrystalline microstructure being characterized by elongated grains along the building direction. A complete and sharp martensitic transformation can be achieved after applying a subsequent heat treatment at 1173 K for 24 h. The Mn-evaporation of 1.3 at. % and the formation of Mn-oxide during DED-processing lead to an increase of the transition temperature of 45 K and a decrease of magnetization, clearly pointing at the necessity of controlling the composition, oxygen partial pressure and magnetic properties over the entire processing chain.
2304.05383v1
2023-09-20
Effects of disorder on the magnetic properties of the Heusler alloy V$_{2}$FeAl
Magnetic properties of multicomponent alloys depend sensitively on the degree of atomic order on the different crystallographic sites. In this work we demonstrate the magnetic contrast between bulk and thin-film samples of the Heusler alloy V$_{2}$FeAl. Arc-melted bulk ingots show practically no site preference of the elements (A2 structure), whereas magnetron-sputtered thin-film samples display a higher degree of atomic ordering with a tendency towards XA-type order. Electronic structure calculations favour ferrimagnetic XA-type ordering, and the effect of different pairwise atomic disorder on the element specific and net magnetic moments are evaluated to reproduce experimental observations. XA-type thin-films with iron moment of 1.24 $\mu_{\mathrm{B}}$ determined by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism are in agreement with calculation, but the measured net moment of 1.0 $\mu_{\mathrm{B}}$ per formula unit and average vanadium moment are smaller than expected from calculations. The measured Curie temperature is approximately 500 K. Films with a higher degree of disorder have a T$_{\mathrm{C}}$ close to 300 K with a net moment of 0.1 $\mu_{\mathrm{B}}$ at low temperature. The large calculated vanadium moments are destroyed by partial disorder on $4d$ vanadium sites. By contrast, the arc-melted and annealed bulk alloy with a fully-disordered A2 structure shows no spontaneous magnetization; it is a Pauli paramagnet with dimensionless susceptibility $\chi_{\mathrm{v}}=-2.95\times10^{-4}$.
2309.11480v1
2022-05-28
Helicity-independent all-optical switching of magnetization in ferrimagnetic alloys
We review and discuss the process of single-shot helicity-independent all-optical switching of magnetization by which a single suitably-ultrafast excitation, under the right conditions, toggles magnetization from one stable state to another. For almost a decade, this phenomenon was only consistently observed in specific rare-earth-transition-metal ferrimagnetic alloys of GdFeCo, but breakthrough experiments in recent years have revealed that the same behavior can be achieved in a wide range of multi-sublattice magnets including TbCo alloys doped with minute amounts of Gd, Gd/Co and Tb/Co synthetic ferrimagnets, and the rare-earth-free Heusler alloy Mn$_2$Ru$_x$Ga. Aiming to resolve the conditions that allow switching, a series of experiments have shown that the process in the ferrimagnetic alloys GdFeCo and Mn$_2$Ru$_x$Ga is highly sensitive to the pulse duration, starting temperature and the alloy composition. We argue here that the switching displayed by these two very different ferrimagnetic alloys can be generally understood within a single phenomenological framework describing the flow of angular momentum between the constituent sublattices and from the sublattices to the environment. The conditions that facilitate switching stem from the properties of these channels of angular momentum flow in combination with the size of the angular momentum reservoirs. We conclude with providing an outlook in this vibrant research field, with emphasis on the outstanding open questions pertaining to the underlying physics along with noting the advances in exploiting this switching process in technological applications.
2205.14342v1
2013-07-08
Significant ZT Enhancement in p-type Ti(Co,Fe)Sb-InSb Nanocomposites via a Synergistic High Mobility Electron Injection Energy filtering and Boundary Scattering Approach
It has been demonstrated that InSb nanoinclusions, which are formed in situ, can simultaneously improve all three individual thermoelectric properties of the n-type half Heusler compound (Ti,Zr,Hf)(Co,Ni)Sb [Xie et al., Acta Mater. 58, 4795 (2010)]. In the work presented herein, we have adopted the same approach to the p-type half Heusler compound Ti(Co,Fe)Sb. The results of resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, and Hall coefficient measurements indicate that the combined high mobility electron injection, low energy electron filtering, and boundary scattering, again, lead to a simultaneous improvement of all three individual thermoelectric properties: enhanced Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity as well as reduced lattice thermal conductivity. A figure of merit of ZT=0.33 was attained at 900 K for the sample containing 1 atomic percent InSb nanoinclusions, a 450 percent improvement over the nanoinclusion-free sample. This represents a rare case that the same nanostructuring approach successfully works for both p-type and n-type thermoelectric materials of the same class, hence pointing to a promising materials design route for higher performance half-Heusler materials in the future and hopefully will realize similar improvement in TE devices based on such half Heusler alloys.
1307.2160v1
2015-05-14
First-principles calculations of exchange interactions, spin waves, and temperature dependence of magnetization in inverse-Heusler-based spin gapless semiconductors
Employing first principles electronic structure calculations in conjunction with the frozen-magnon method we calculate exchange interactions, spin-wave dispersion, and spin-wave stiffness constants in inverse-Heusler-based spin gapless semiconductor (SGS) compounds Mn$_2$CoAl, Ti$_2$MnAl, Cr$_2$ZnSi, Ti$_2$CoSi and Ti$_2$VAs. We find that their magnetic behavior is similar to the half-metallic ferromagnetic full-Heusler alloys, i.e., the intersublattice exchange interactions play an essential role in the formation of the magnetic ground state and in determining the Curie temperature, $T_\mathrm{c}$. All compounds, except Ti$_2$CoSi possess a ferrimagnetic ground state. Due to the finite energy gap in one spin channel, the exchange interactions decay sharply with the distance, and hence magnetism of these SGSs can be described considering only nearest and next-nearest neighbor exchange interactions. The calculated spin-wave dispersion curves are typical for ferrimagnets and ferromagnets. The spin-wave stiffness constants turn out to be larger than those of the elementary 3$d$-ferromagnets. Calculated exchange parameters are used as input to determine the temperature dependence of the magnetization and $T_\mathrm{c}$ of the SGSs. We find that the $T_\mathrm{c}$ of all compounds is much above the room temperature. The calculated magnetization curve for Mn$_2$CoAl as well as the Curie temperature are in very good agreement with available experimental data. The present study is expected to pave the way for a deeper understanding of the magnetic properties of the inverse-Heusler-based SGSs and enhance the interest in these materials for application in spintronic and magnetoelectronic devices.
1505.03632v1
2015-12-15
Half-metallic, Co-based quaternary Heuslers for spintronics: defect- and pressure-induced transitions and properties
Heusler compounds offer potential as spintronic devices due to their spin-polarization and half-metallicity properties, where electron spin-majority (minority) manifold exhibits states (band gap) at the electronic chemical potential, yielding full spin-polarization in a single manifold. Yet, Heuslers often exhibit intrinsic disorder that degrades its half-metallicity and spin-polarization. Using density-functional theory, we analyze the electronic and magnetic properties of equiatomic Heusler ($L$2$_{1}$) CoMnCrAl and CoFeCrGe alloys for effects of hydrostatic pressure and intrinsic disorder (thermal antisites, binary swaps, and vacancies). Under pressure, CoMnCrAl undergoes a metallic transition, while half-metallicity in CoFeCrGe is retained for a limited range. Antisite disorder between Co-Al pairs in CoMnCrAl and Co-Ge pairs in CoFeCrGe is energetically the most favored, and retain half-metallic character in Co-excess samples. However, Co-deficient samples undergo a transition from half-metallic to metallic, with a discontinuity in the saturation magnetization. For binary swaps, configurations that compete with the ground state are identified and show no loss of half-metallicity; however, the minority-spin bandgap and magnetic moments vary depending on the atoms swapped. For single binary swaps, there is a significant energy cost in CoMnCrAl but with no loss of half metallicity. Although a few configurations in CoFeCrGe energetically compete with the ground statei, however the minority-spin bandgap and magnetic moments vary depending on the atoms swapped. These informations should help in controlling these potential spintronic materials.
1512.04805v2
2018-03-05
Simulation study of ballistic spin-MOSFET devices with ferromagnetic channels based on some Heusler and oxide compounds
Newly emerged materials from the family of Heuslers and complex oxides exhibit finite bandgaps and ferromagnetic behavior with Curie temperatures much higher than even room temperature. In this work, using the semiclassical top-of-the-barrier FET model, we explore the operation of a spin-MOSFET that utilizes such ferromagnetic semiconductors as channel materials, in addition to ferromagnetic source/drain contacts. Such a device could retain the spin polarization of injected electrons in the channel, the loss of which limits the operation of traditional spin transistors with non-ferromagnetic channels. We examine the operation of four material systems that are currently considered some of the most prominent known ferromagnetic semiconductors, three Heusler-type alloys (Mn2CoAl, CrVZrAl, CoVZrAl) and one from the oxide family (NiFe2O4). We describe their bandstructures by using data from DFT calculations. We investigate under which conditions high spin polarization and significant ION/IOFF ratio, two essential requirements for the spin-MOSFET operation, are both achieved. We show that these particular Heusler channels, in their bulk form, do not have adequate bandgap to provide high ION/IOFF ratios, and have small magnetoconductance compared to state-of-the-art devices. However, with confinement into ultra-narrow sizes down to a few nanometers, and by engineering their spin dependent contact resistances, they could prove promising channel materials for the realization of spin-MOSFET transistor devices that offer combined logic and memory functionalities. Although the main compounds of interest in this paper are Mn2CoAl, CrVZrAl, CoVZrAl, and NiFe2O4 alone, we expect that the insight we provide is relevant to other classes of such materials as well.
1803.01789v1
2021-02-22
Structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of Fe2CoAl Heusler nanoalloy
Spherical nanoparticles (NPs) of size 14 nm, made of intermetallic Fe2CoAl (FCA) Heusler alloy, are synthesized via the co-precipitation and thermal deoxidization method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns confirm that the present nanoalloy is crystallized in A2-disordered cubic Heusler structure. Magnetic field (H) and temperature (T) dependent magnetization (M) results reveal that the NPs are soft ferromagnetic (FM) with high saturation magnetization (Ms) and Curie temperature (Tc). Fe2CoAl nanoalloy does not follow the Slater Pauling (SP) rule, possibly because of the disorder present in the system. We also investigate its magnetic phase transition (MPT) and magnetocaloric (MC) properties. The peak value of the magnetic entropy change vs T curve at a magnetic field change of 20 kOe corresponds to about 2.65 J/kg-K, and the observed value of refrigeration capacity (RCP) is as large as 44 J/kg, suggesting a large heat conversion in magnetic refrigeration cycle. The Arrott plot and the nature of the universal curve accomplish that the FM to paramagnetic (PM) phase transition in Fe2CoAl nanoalloy is of second-order. The present study suggests that the Fe2CoAl nanoscale system is proficient, useful and a good candidate for the spintronics application and opens up a window for further research on full-Heusler based magnetic refrigerants.
2102.11195v2
1999-11-25
Magnetic circular dichroism in X-ray fluorescence of Heusler alloys at threshold excitation
The results of fluorescence measurements of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) in Mn L_2,L_3 X-ray emission and absorption for Heusler alloys NiMnSb and Co2MnSb are presented. Very intense resonance Mn L_3 emission is found at the Mn 2p_3/2 threshold and is attributed to a peculiarity of the threshold excitation in materials with the half-metallic character of the electronic structure. A theoretical model for the description of resonance scattering of polarized x-rays is suggested.
9911415v1
2002-03-04
X-ray spectra of 3d metals of Heusler alloys and La$_{1-x}$Sm$_x$Mn$_2$Si$_2$ compounds
The Mn x-ray emission spectra and x-ray photoemission spectra of Mn-based Heusler alloys Co$_2$MnAl, Co$_2$MnSb and La$_{1-x}$Sm$_x$Mn$_2$Si$_2$ compounds (x=0, 0.8) have been measured and discussed in connection with a value local magnetic moment at Mn site. The spectra peculiarities reflect also the localization degree of 3d valence electrons of 3d metals in considered compounds.
0203069v3
2002-03-26
Origin and Properties of the Gap in the Half-Ferromagnetic Heusler Alloys
We study the origin of the gap and the role of chemical composition in the half-ferromagnetic Heusler alloys using the full-potential screened KKR method. In the paramagnetic phase the C1_b compounds, like NiMnSb, present a gap. Systems with 18 valence electrons, Z_t, per unit cell, like CoTiSb, are semiconductors, but when Z_t > 18 antibonding states are also populated, thus the paramagnetic phase becomes unstable and the half-ferromagnetic one is stabilized. The minority occupied bands accommodate a total of nine electrons and the total magnetic moment per unit cell in mu_B is just the difference between Z_t and $2 \times 9$. While the substitution of the transition metal atoms may preserve the half-ferromagnetic character, substituting the $sp$ atom results in a practically rigid shift of the bands and the loss of half-metallicity. Finally we show that expanding or contracting the lattice parameter by 2% preserves the minority-spin gap.
0203534v3
2004-04-07
First-principles calculation of the intersublattice exchange interactions and Curie temperatures of full Heusler alloys Ni2MnX (X=Ga, In, Sn, Sb)
The interatomic exchange interactions and Curie temperatures in Ni-based full Heusler alloys Ni2MnX with X=Ga, In, Sn and Sb are studied within the framework of the density-functional theory. The calculation of the exchange parameters is based on the frozen-magnon approach. Despite closeness of the experimental Curie temperatures for all four systems their magnetism appeared to differ strongly. This difference involves both the Mn-Mn and Mn-Ni exchange interactions. The Curie temperatures, Tc, are calculated within the mean-field approximation by solving a matrix equation for a multi-sublattice system. Good agreement with experiment for all four systems is obtained. The role of different exchange interactions in the formation of Tc of the systems is discussed.
0404162v1
2004-10-28
Spin injection from the Heusler alloy Co_2MnGe into Al_0.1Ga_0.9As/GaAs heterostructures
Electrical spin injection from the Heusler alloy Co_2MnGe into a p-i-n Al_0.1Ga_0.9As/GaAs light emitting diode is demonstrated. A maximum steady-state spin polarization of approximately 13% at 2 K is measured in two types of heterostructures. The injected spin polarization at 2 K is calculated to be 27% based on a calibration of the spin detector using Hanle effect measurements. Although the dependence on electrical bias conditions is qualitatively similar to Fe-based spin injection devices of the same design, the spin polarization injected from Co_2MnGe decays more rapidly with increasing temperature.
0410751v1
2005-04-26
Pressure dependence of the Curie temperature in Ni2MnSn Heusler alloy: A first-principles study
The pressure dependence of electronic structure, exchange interactions and Curie temperature in ferromagnetic Heusler alloy Ni2MnSn has been studied theoretically within the framework of the density-functional theory. The calculation of the exchange parameters is based on the frozen--magnon approach. The Curie temperature, Tc, is calculated within the mean-field approximation by solving the matrix equation for a multi-sublattice system. In agrement with experiment the Curie temperature increased from 362K at ambient pressure to 396 at 12 GPa. Extending the variation of the lattice parameter beyond the range studied experimentally we obtained non-monotonous pressure dependence of the Curie temperature and metamagnetic transition. We relate the theoretical dependence of Tc on the lattice constant to the corresponding dependence predicted by the empirical interaction curve. The Mn-Ni atomic interchange observed experimentally is simulated to study its influence on the Curie temperature.
0504644v1
2005-04-26
First-principles study of exchange interactions and Curie temperatures of half-metallic ferrimagnetic full Heusler alloys Mn2VZ (Z=Al, Ge)
We report the parameter-free, density functional theory calculations of interatomic exchange interactions and Curie temperatures of half-metallic ferrimagnetic full Heusler alloys Mn2VZ (Z=Al, Ge). To calculate the interatomic exchange interactions we employ the frozen-magnon approach. The Curie temperatures are calculated within the mean-field approximation to the classical Heisenberg Hamiltonian by solving a matrix equation for a multi-sublattice system. Our calculations show that, although a large magnetic moment is carried by Mn atoms, competing ferromagnetic (inter sublattice) and antiferromagnetic (intra sublattice) Mn-Mn interactions in Mn2VAl almost cancel each other in the mean-field experienced by the Mn atoms. In Mn2VGe the leading Mn-Mn exchange interaction is antiferromagnetic. In both compounds the ferromagnetism of the Mn subsystem is favored by strong antiferromagnetic Mn-V interactions. The obtained value of the Curie temperature of Mn2VAl is in good agrement with experiment. For Mn2VGe there is no experimental information available and our calculation is a prediction.
0504679v1
2005-06-06
Unusual transport properties of ferromagnetic Heusler alloy Co$_2$TiSn
We report results of magnetization, zero field resistivity and magnetoresistance measurements in ferromagnetic Heusler alloy Co$_2$TiSn. There is a striking change in the character of electron transport as the system undergoes the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition. In the paramagnetic state the nature of the electron transport is like that of a semiconductor and this changes abruptly to metallic behaviour at the onset of ferromagnetic ordering. Application of external magnetic field tends to suppress this semiconducting like transport leading to a negative magnetoresistance which reaches a peak in the vicinity of Curie temperature. Comparison is made with the similar unusual behaviour observed in other systems including UNiSn and manganites.
0506126v1
2006-01-17
Electron Correlations and the Minority-Spin Band Gap in Half-Metallic Heusler Alloys
Electron-electron correlations affect the band gap of half-metallic ferromagnets by introducing non-quasiparticle states just above the Fermi level. In contrast to the spin-orbit coupling, a large asymmetric non-quasiparticle spectral weight is present in the minority-spin channel, leading to a peculiar finite-temperature spin depolarization effects. Using recently developed first-principle dynamical mean field theory, we investigate these effects for the half-metallic ferrimagnetic Heusler compound FeMnSb. We discuss depolarization effects in terms of strength of local Coulomb interaction $U$ and temperature in FeMnSb. We propose Ni$_{1-x}$Fe$_{x}$MnSb alloys as a perspective materials to be used in spin-valve structures and for experimental search of non-quasiparticle states in half-metallic materials.
0601376v1
2006-05-31
Spin- and time-resolved photoemission studies of thin Co2FeSi Heusler alloy films
We have studied the possibly half metallic Co2FeSi full Heusler alloy by means of spin- and time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. For excitation, the second and fourth harmonic of femtosecond Ti:sapphire lasers were used, with photon energies of 3.1 eV and 5.9 eV, respectively. We compare the dependence of the measured surface spin polarization on the particular photoemission mechanism, i.e. 1-photon-photoemission (1PPE) or 2-photon photoemission (2PPE). The observed differences in the spin polarization can be explained by a spin-dependent lifetime effect occurring in the 2-photon absorption process. The difference in escape depth of the two methods in this context suggests that the observed reduction of spin polarization (compared to the bulk) cannot be attributed just to the outermost surface layer but takes place at least 4-6 nm away from the surface.
0606006v1
2006-08-31
Magnetic phase diagram of the semi-Heusler alloys from first-principles
The magnetic phase diagram of the Mn-based semi-Heusler alloys is determined at T=0 using first-principles calculations in conjunction with the frozen-magnon approximation. We show that the magnetism in these systems strongly depends on the number of conduction electrons, their spin polarization and the position of the unoccupied Mn 3d states with respect to Fermi energy. Various magnetic phases are obtained depending on these characteristics. The conditions leading to diverse magnetic behavior are identified. We find that in the case of a large conduction electron spin polarization and the unoccupied Mn 3d states lying far above the Fermi level, an RKKY-like ferromagnetic interaction is dominating. On the other hand, the antiferromagnetic superexchange becomes important in the presence of large peaks of the unoccupied Mn 3d states lying close to the Fermi energy. The overall magnetic behavior depends on the competition of these two exchange mechanisms. The obtained results are in very good agreement with the available experimental data.
0609001v1
2007-01-25
Doping of Mn$_2$VAl and Mn$_2$VSi Heusler alloys as a route to half-metallic antiferromagnetism
Half-metallic antiferromagnets are the ideal materials for spintronic applications since their zero magnetization leads to lower stray fields and thus tiny energy losses. Starting from the Mn$_2$VAl and Mn$_2$VSi alloys we substitute Co or Fe for Mn and we show by means of first-principle electronic structure calculations that the resulting compounds are ferrimagnets. When the total number of valence electrons reaches the magic number of 24 the Fe-doped compounds are semi-metals and thus non-magnetic while the Co-doped ones show the desirable half-metallic antiferromagnetic character. The compounds are very likely to be synthesized experimentally since the parent compounds, Mn$_2$VAl and Co$_2$VAl, have been already grown in the Heusler $L2_1$ lattice structure.
0701611v1
2008-01-13
3d-electron induced magnetic phase transition in half-metallic semi-Heusler alloys
We study the effect of the non-magnetic 3\textit{d} atoms on the magnetic properties of the half-metallic (HM) semi-Heusler alloys Co$_{1-x}$Cu$_{x}$MnSb and Ni$_{1-x}$Cu$_{x}$MnSb ($0 \leq x \leq 1$) using first-principles calculations. We determine the magnetic phase diagram of both systems at zero temperature and obtain a phase transition from a ferromagnetic to an antiferromagnetic state. For low Cu concentrations the ferromagnetic RKKY-like exchange mechanism is dominating, while the antiferromagnetic superexchange coupling becomes important for larger Cu content leading to the observed magnetic phase transition. A strong dependence of the magnetism in both systems on the position of the Fermi level within the HM gap is obtained. Obtained results are in good agreement with the available experimental data.
0801.1968v1
2008-01-15
Structural and magnetic properties of half-heusler alloys NiCrZ (Z = Si, P, Ge, As, Te): First principle study
We present a first principle study of new class of high-$T_c$ half-heusler ferromagnets NiCrZ (Z = Si, P, Ge, As, Te). The structure and magnetic properties are investigated through the calculation of the electronic structure, equilibrium lattice constant, magnetic exchange interaction $J_{ij}$ and Curie temperature $T_c$. The role of $sp$-elements and the influence of lattice expansion/compression are also studied. In alloys having 20 valence electrons, a pseudo-gap of the majority band can be formed at Fermi level. Otherwise, the half-metallicity and ferromagnetism at temperatures much higher than room temperature are found to be stable in a wide range of lattice expansion. Based on these results, NiCrZ can be expected to be promising materials for spintronics.
0801.2222v1
2008-01-15
New High-$T_c$ Half-Heusler Ferromagnets NiMnZ (Z = Si, P, Ge, As)
Based on the first principle calculation, we propose a new class of high-$T_c$ half-heusler ferromagnets NiMnZ (Z = Si, P, Ge, As). The structural and magnetic properties are investigated through the calculation of the electronic structure, phase stability, equilibrium lattice constant, magnetic exchange interaction $J_{ij}$ and Curie temperature $T_c$. It is found that all alloys show half-metallicity and ferromagnetism at temperatures much higher than room temperature in a wide range of lattice expansion (compression). At the equilibrium lattice constant, $T_c$ of 715K, 840K, 875K and 1050K are predicted by Monte Carlo simulation for NiMnP, NiMnAs, NiMnGe and NiMnSi, respectively. Following these results, these alloys are strongly expected to be promising candidates for spintronic applications.
0801.2225v1
2008-11-20
Current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance of a spin valve using Co2MnSi Heusler alloy electrodes
We report the current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance of a spin valve with Co2MnSi (CMS) Heusler alloy ferromagnetic electrodes. A multilayer stack of Cr/Ag/Cr/CMS/Cu/CMS/Fe25Co75/Ir28Mn72/Ru was deposited on a MgO (001) single crystal substrate. The bottom CMS layer was epitaxially grown on the Cr/Ag/Cr buffer layers and was ordered to the L21 structure after annealing at 673 K. The upper CMS layer was found to grow epitaxially on the Cu spacer layer despite the large lattice mismatch between Cu and CMS. The highest MR ratios of 8.6% and 30.7% for CPP-GMR were recorded at room temperature and 6 K, respectively. The high spin polarization of the epitaxial CMS layers is the most likely origin of the high MR ratio.
0811.3282v1
2009-05-24
Density functional study of elastic and vibrational properties of the Heusler-type alloys Fe$_2$VAl and Fe$_2$VGa
The structural and elastic properties as well as phonon-dispersion relations of the Heusler-type alloys Fe$_2$VAl and Fe$_2$VGa are computed using density-functional and density-functional perturbation theory within the generalized-gradient approximation. The calculated equilibrium lattice constants agree well with the experimental values. The elastic constants of Fe$_2$VAl and Fe$_2$VGa are predicted for the first time. From the elastic constants the shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, sound velocities and Debye temperatures are obtained. By analyzing the ratio between the bulk and shear modulii, we conclude that both Fe$_2$VAl and Fe$_2$VGa are brittle in nature. The computed phonon-dispersion relation shows that both compounds are dynamically stable in the L1$_2$ structure without any imaginary phonon frequencies. The isomer shifts of Fe in the two compounds are discussed in terms of the Fe s partial density of states, which reveal larger ionicity/less hybridization in Fe$_2$VGa than in Fe$_2$VAl. For the same reason the Cauchy pressure is negative in Fe$_2$VAl but positive in Fe$_2$VGa
0905.3909v1
2010-06-01
Pressure induced magnetic and magnetocaloric properties in NiCoMnSb Heusler alloy
The effect of pressure on the magnetic and the magnetocaloric properties around the martensitic transformation temperature in NiCoMnSb Heusler alloy has been studied. The martensitic transition temperature has significantly shifted to higher temperatures with pressure, whereas the trend is opposite with the application of applied magnetic field. The maximum magnetic entropy change around the martensitic transition temperature for Ni45Co5Mn38Sb12 is 41.4 J/kg K at the ambient pressure, whereas it is 33 J/kg K at 8.5 kbar. We find that by adjusting the Co concentration and applying suitable pressure, NiCoMnSb system can be tuned to achieve giant magnetocaloric effect spread over a large temperature span around the room temperature, thereby making it a potential magnetic refrigerant material for applications.
1006.0067v1
2010-06-01
Giant inverse magnetocaloric effect near room temperature in Co substituted NiMnSb Heusler alloys
The effect of Co on the structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Ni50-xCoxMn38Sb12 (x=0,2,3,4,5) Heusler alloys was studied. Using x-ray diffraction, we show the evolution of the martensitic phase from the austenite phase. The martensitic transition temperature is found to decrease monotonically with Co concentration. Remarkable enhancement of MCE is observed near room temperature upon Co substitution. The maximum magnetic entropy change of 34 Jkg-1K-1 was achieved in x=5 at 262 K in a field of 50 kOe and a value of 29 Jkg-1K-1 found near room temperature. The significant increase in the magnetization associated with the reverse martensitic transition is responsible for the giant MCE in these compounds.
1006.0072v1
2010-10-15
Direct measurements of the magnetocaloric effect in ribbon samples of Heusler alloys Ni - Mn - M (M = In, Sn)
Direct measurements of the magnetocaloric effect in samples of rapidly quenched ribbons of Mn50Ni40In10 and Ni50Mn37Sn13 Heusler alloys, with potential applications in magnetic refrigeration technology, are carried out. The measurements were made by a precise method based on the measurement of the oscillation amplitude of the temperature in the sample while is subjected to a modulated magnetic field. In the studied compositions both direct and inverse magnetocaloric effects associated with magnetic (paramagnet - ferromagnet - antiferromagnet) and structural (austenite - martensite) phase transitions are found. Additional inverse magnetocaloric effects of small value are observed around the ferromagnetic transitions.
1010.3135v1
2010-12-09
Epitaxial germanidation of full-Heusler Co2FeGe alloy thin films formed by rapid thermal annealing
The authors demonstrated that a full-Heusler Co2FeGe (CFG) alloy thin film was epitaxially grown by rapid-thermal-annealing-induced germanidation of an Fe/Co/pseudo-Ge(001)-on-insulator (GOI) multilayer formed on a Si-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements with the out-of-plane and in-plane configurations revealed that the CFG film was epitaxially grown along the [001] direction with the in-plane epitaxial relation of CFG[100]||GOI[100], although the film slightly contained a texture component. The strong (111) and (200) superlattice diffraction intensities indicated that the CFG film had a high degree of order for the L21 structure. Cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of the film implied that the film had the dominant epitaxial and slight texture components, which was consistent with the XRD measurements. The epitaxial component was grown directly on the BOX layer of the SOI substrate without the formation of any interfacial layer.
1012.1917v1
2010-12-13
Effect of Si and Ga substitutions on the magnetocaloric properties of NiCoMnSb quaternary Heusler alloys
The effect of Si and Ga substitutions on the magnetic and the magnetocaloric properties in Heusler based system Ni46Co4Mn38Sb12-xZx (Z=Si and Ga) has been studied. From the M(T) plots it is found that Si substitution stabilizes the austenite phase, whereas, Ga substitution stabilizes the martensite phase. Strong metamagnetic behaviour is observed in the M(H) isotherms for Si=0.75 and 1, whereas, such a behaviour is absent in the Ga substituted alloys. Associated with magneto-structural transition, large MCE of 58 J/kg K and 70 J/kg K is observed for x=0.75 and 1, respectively in the case of Si. Though the MCE observed in x=0.5 and 1 in the case of Ga is much lower, the MCE peak is found to be quite broad.
1012.2684v1
2011-11-19
Large amplitude microwave emission and reduced nonlinear phase noise in Co2Fe(Ge0.5Ga0.5) Heusler alloy based pseudo spin valve nanopillars
We have studied microwave emission from a current-perpendicular-to-plane pseudo spin valve nanopillars with Heusler alloy Co2Fe(Ga0.5Ge0.5) electrodes. Large emission amplitude exceeding 150 nV/Hz^0.5, partly owing to the large magnetoresistance, and narrow generation linewidth below 10 MHz are observed. We also find that the linewidth shows significant dependence on the applied field magnitude and its angle within the film plane. A minimum in the linewidth is observed when the slope of the frequency versus current becomes near zero. This agrees with theoretical prediction that takes into account non-linear phase noise as a source for linewidth broadening.
1111.4539v1
2012-10-22
Thickness-dependent structural, magnetic and transport properties of epitaxial Co2FeAl Heusler alloy thin films
We report on a systematic study of the structural, magnetic properties and the anomalous Hall effect, in the Heusler alloy Co2FeAl (CFA) epitaxial films on MgO(001), as a function of film thickness. It was found that the epitaxial CFA films show a highly ordered B2 structure with an in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. An analysis of the electrical transport properties reveals that the lattice and magnon scattering contributions to the longitudinal resistivity. Independent on the thickness of films, the anomalous Hall resistivity of CFA films is found to be dominated by skew scattering only. Moreover, the anomalous Hall resistivity shows weakly temperature dependent behavior, and its absolute value increases as the thickness decreases. We attribute this temperature insensitivity in the anomalous Hall resistivity to the weak temperature dependent of tunneling spin-polarization in the CFA films, while the thickness dependence behavior is likely due to the increasing significance of interface or free surface electronic states.
1210.5807v1
2013-11-28
Local magnetism and structural properties of Heusler Ni$_2$MnGa alloys
We present a detailed experimental study of bulk and powder samples of the Heusler shape memory alloy Ni$_2$MnGa, including zero-field static and dynamic $^{55}$Mn NMR experiments, X-ray powder diffraction and magnetization experiments. The NMR spectra give direct access to the sequence of structural phase transitions in this compound, from the high-T austenitic phase down to the low-T martensitic phase. In addition, a detailed investigation of the so-called rf-enhancement factor provides local information for the magnetic stiffness and restoring fields for each separate coordination, structural, crystallographic environment, thus differentiating signals coming from austenitic and martensitic components. The temperature evolution of the NMR spectra and the rf-enhancement factors shows strong dependence on sample preparation. In particular, we find that sample powderization gives rise to a significant portion of martensitic traces inside the high-T austenitic region, and that these traces can be subsequently removed by annealing.
1311.7414v1
2015-05-12
Examining the thermal conductivity of half-Heusler alloy TiNiSn by first-principles calculations
The thermoelectric properties of half-Heusler alloy TiNiSn have been studied for decade, however, theoretical report on its thermal conductivity is still little known, because it is difficult to estimate effectively the lattice thermal conductivity. In this work, we use the ShengBTE code developed recently to examine the lattice thermal conductivity of TiNiSn. The calculated lattice thermal conductivity at room temperature is 7.6 W/mK, which is close to the experimental value of 8 W/mK. We also find that the total and lattice thermal conductivities dependent temperature are in good agreement with available experiments, and the total thermal conductivity is dominated by the lattice contribution. The present work is useful for the theoretical prediction of lattice thermal conductivity and the optimization of thermoelectric performance.
1505.02845v1
2015-05-28
Large ground state magnetic moment and magnetocaloric effect in Ni2Mn1.4In0.6
A large conventional magnetocaloric effect at the second order magnetic transition in cubic Ni2Mn1.4In0.6 Heusler alloy is reported. The isothermal magnetization at 2K shows a huge ground state magnetic moment of about 6.17 {\mu}B/f.u. The theoretical calculations show that the origin of the large magnetic moment in cubic Ni2Mn1.4In0.6 results from the strong ferromagnetic interaction between Mn- Ni and Mn-Mn sublattices. The experimental magnetic moment is in excellent agreement with the moment calculated from the theory. The large magnetic moment gives rise to considerably high adiabatic temperature and entropy changes at the magnetic transition. The present study opens up the possibility to explore cubic Heusler alloys for magnetocaloric applications.
1505.07677v2
2015-10-23
Resonant impurity states in chemically disordered half-Heusler Dirac semimetals
We address the electron transport characteristics in bulk half-Heusler alloys with their compositions tuned to the borderline between topologically nontrivial semi-metallic and trivial semiconducting phases. The precise first-principles calculations based on the coherent potential approximation (CPA) reveal that all the studied systems exhibit sets of dispersionless impurity-like resonant levels, with one of them being located right at the Dirac point. By means of the Kubo formalism we reveal that the residual conductivity of these alloys is strongly suppressed by impurity scattering, whereas the spin Hall conductivity exhibits a large value which is comparable to that of Pt, thereby leading to divergent spin Hall angles.
1510.06935v1
2015-12-04
Suppression of the ferromagnetic order in the Heusler alloy Ni50Mn35In15 by hydrostatic pressure
We report the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the magnetic and structural properties of the shape-memory Heusler alloy Ni50Mn35In15. Magnetization and x-ray diffraction experiments were performed at hydrostatic pressures up to 5 GPa using diamond anvil cells. Pressure stabilizes the martensitic phase, shifting the martensitic transition to higher temperatures and suppresses the ferromagnetic austenitic phase. Above ~3 GPa, where the martensitic-transition temperature approaches the Curie temperature in the austenite, the magnetization shows no indication of ferromagnetic ordering anymore. We further find an extremely large temperatureregion with a mixture of martensite and austenite phases, which directly relates to the magnetic properties.
1512.01407v1
2016-06-14
Defect-induced magnetic structure of CuMnSb
Ab initio total energy calculations show that the antiferromagnetic (111) order is not the ground state for the ideal CuMnSb Heusler alloy in contrast to the results of neutron diffraction experiments. It is known, that Heusler alloys usually contain various defects depending on the sample preparation. We have therefore investigated magnetic phases of CuMnSb assuming the most common defects which exist in real experimental conditions. The full-potential supercell approach and a Heisenberg model approach using the coherent potential approximation are adopted. The results of the total energy supercell calculations indicate that defects that bring Mn atoms close together promote the antiferromagnetic (111) structure already for a low critical defect concentrations ($\approx$ 3%). A detailed study of exchange interactions between Mn-moments further supports the above stabilization mechanism. Finally, the stability of the antiferromagnetic (111) order is enhanced by inclusion of electron correlations in narrow Mn-bands. The present refinement structure analysis of neutron scattering experiment supports theoretical conclusions.
1606.04238v1
2016-09-29
On the rich magnetic phase diagram of (Ni, Co)-Mn-Sn Heusler alloys
We put a spotlight on the exceptional magnetic properties of the metamagnetic Heusler alloy (Ni,Co)-Mn-Sn by means of first principles simulations. In the energy landscape we find a multitude of local minima, which belong to different ferrimagnetic states and are close in total magnetization and energy. All these magnetic states correspond to the local high spin state of the Mn atoms with different spin alignments and are related to the magnetic properties of Mn. Compared to pure Mn, the magneto-volume coupling is reduced by Ni, Co, and Sn atoms in the lattice and no local low-spin Mn states appear. For the cubic phase we find a ferromagnetic ground state whereas the global energy minimum is a tetragonal state with complicated spin structure and vanishing magnetization which so far has been overlooked in simulations.
1609.09399v1
2017-01-06
Modulations in martensitic Heusler alloys originate from nanotwin ordering
Heusler alloys exhibiting magnetic and martensitic transitions enable applications like magnetocaloric refrigeration and actuation based on the magnetic shape memory effect. Their outstanding functional properties depend on low hysteresis losses and low actuation fields. These are only achieved if the atomic positions deviate from a tetragonal lattice by periodic displacements. The origin of the so-called modulated structures is the subject of much controversy: They are either explained by phonon softening or adaptive nanotwinning. Here we used large-scale density functional theory calculations on the Ni2MnGa prototype system to demonstrate interaction energy between twin boundaries. Minimizing the interaction energy resulted in the experimentally observed ordered modulations at the atomic scale, it explained that a/b twin boundaries are stacking faults at the mesoscale, and contributed substantially to the macroscopic hysteresis losses. Furthermore, we found that phonon softening paves the transformation path towards the nanotwinned martensite state. This unified both opposing concepts to explain modulated martensite.
1701.01562v2
2017-01-29
$d^0$-$d$ half-Heusler alloys: A class of future spintronic materials
It is shown by rigorous ab initio calculations that half-Heusler alloys of transition metals and $d^0$ metals, defined by the valence electronic configuration $ns^{1,2},(n-1)d^0$, can produce all kinds of half-metallic behavior including the elusive Dirac half-semimetallicity that is reported for the first time in the real 3D material CoKSb. Together with the predicted magnetic and chemical stability, this paves the way for massless and dissipationless spintronics of the future. Furthermore, the introduction of $d^0$ atoms is shown to stabilize the otherwise instable chemical structure of zinc-blende transition metal pnictides and chalcogeneides without altering the $p$-$d$ exchange that is mainly responsible for their half-metallicity, therefore, making their application in spintronic devices feasible.
1701.08397v3
2017-07-17
Possible spin gapless semiconductor type behaviour in CoFeMnSi epitaxial thin films
Spin-gapless semiconductors with their unique band structures have recently attracted much attention due to their interesting transport properties that can be utilized in spintronics applications. We have successfully deposited the thin films of quaternary spin-gapless semiconductor CoFeMnSi Heusler alloy on MgO (001) substrates using a pulsed laser deposition system. These films show epitaxial growth along (001) direction and display uniform and smooth crystalline surface. The magnetic properties reveal that the film is ferromagnetically soft along the in-plane direction and its Curie temperature is well above 400 K. The electrical conductivity of the film is low and exhibits a nearly temperature independent semiconducting behaviour. The estimated temperature coefficient of resistivity for the film is -7x10^-10 Ohm.m/K, which is comparable to the values reported for spin-gapless semiconductors.
1707.05078v2
2017-07-21
Mn$_2$VAl Heusler alloy thin films: Appearance of antiferromagnetism and an exchange bias in a layered structure with Fe
Mn$_2$VAl Heusler alloy films were epitaxially grown on MgO(100) single crystal substrates by means of ultra-high-vacuum magnetron sputtering. A2 and L2$_1$ type Mn$_2$VAl order was controlled by the deposition temperatures. A2-type Mn$_2$VAl films showed no spontaneous magnetization and L2$_1$-type Mn$_2$VAl films showed ferrimagnetic behavior with a maximum saturation magnetization of 220 emu/cm$^3$ at room temperature. An antiferromagnetic reflection was observed with neutron diffraction at room temperature for an A2-type Mn$_2$VAl film deposited at 400$^\circ$C. A bilayer sample of the antiferromagnetic A2 Mn$_2$VAl and Fe showed an exchange bias of 120 Oe at 10 K.
1707.06731v1
2018-03-05
Measurement independent magnetocaloric effect in Mn-rich Mn-Fe-Ni-Sn(Sb/In) Heusler alloys
We report a systematic study on the magneto-structural transition in Mn-rich Fe-doped Mn-Fe-Ni-Sn(Sb/In) Heusler alloys by keeping the total valence electron concentration (e/a ratio) fixed. The martensitic transition (MT) temperature is found to shift by following a proportional relationship with the e/a ratio of the magnetic elements alone. The magnetic entropy change across MT for a selected sample (Mn49FeNi40Sn9In) has been estimated from three different measurement methods (isofield magnetization (M) vs temperature (T), isothermal M vs field (H) and heat capacity (HC) vs T). We observed that though the peak value of magnetic entropy change changes with the measurement methods, the broadened shape of the magnetic entropy change vs T curves and the corresponding cooling power (~140 Jkg-1) remains invariant. The equivalent adiabatic temperature change ~ -2.6 K has been obtained from indirect measurements of temperature change. Moreover, an exchange bias field ~ 783 Oe at 5 K and a magnetoresistance of -30% are also obtained in one of these materials.
1803.01566v3
2018-11-15
LnPd$_{2}$Sn (Ln=Sc, Y, Lu) class of Heusler alloys for topological superconductivity
Based on the first-principles electronic structure calculations and the symmetry analysis, we predict that the topological superconductivity may occur on the surface of the LnPd$_{2}$Sn (Ln=Sc, Y, Lu) class of Heusler alloys. The calculated electronic band structure and topological invariant demonstrate that the LnPd$_{2}$Sn family is topologically nontrivial. The further slab calculations show that the nontrivial topological surface states of LnPd$_{2}$Sn exist within the bulk band gap and meanwhile they cross the Fermi level. Considering that the LnPd$_{2}$Sn class of compounds were all found experimentally to be superconducting at low temperature, the surface topological superconductivity is likely to be generated via the proximity effect. Thus the LnPd$_{2}$Sn class of compounds shall be a promising platform for exploring novel topological superconductivity and handling Majorana zero modes.
1811.06401v1
2019-11-06
High spin mixing conductance and spin interface transparency at $Co_2Fe_{0.4}Mn_{0.6}Si$ Heusler alloy and Pt interface
Ferromagnetic materials exhibiting low magnetic damping ($\alpha$) and moderately high saturation magnetization are required from the viewpoints of generation, transmission and detection of spin wave. Since spin-to-charge conversion efficiency is another important parameter, high spin mixing conductance ($g_{r}^{\uparrow \downarrow}$) is the key for efficient spin-to-charge conversion. Full Heusler alloys e.g. $Co_2Fe_{0.4}Mn_{0.6}Si$ (CFMS), which are predicted to be 100$\%$ spin polarized, possess low $\alpha$. However, the $g_{r}^{\uparrow \downarrow}$ at the interface between CFMS and a paramagnet has not fully been understood. Here, we report the investigations of spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effect in $CFMS/Pt$ bilayers. Damping analysis indicates the presence of significant spin pumping at the interface of CFMS and Pt, which is also confirmed by the detection of inverse spin Hall voltage. We show that in CFMS/Pt the $g_{r}^{\uparrow \downarrow}$ (1.77$\times$10$^{20}$m$^{-2}$) and interface transparency (84$\%$) are higher compared to values reported for other ferromagnet/heavy metal systems.
1911.02230v1
2019-04-04
\textit{Ab initio} study of Bi-based half Heusler alloys as potential thermoelectric prospects
We investigated six heavy element bismuth-based 18-VEC half-Heusler alloys CoTiBi, CoZrBi, CoHfBi, FeVBi, FeNbBi, and FeTaBi by first principles approach, in search of better thermoelectric prospects. The motivation is driven by expected lower thermal conductivity and the recent discovery of CoZrBi-based materials. Significantly, our calculated power factor values of all the systems show an increment of $\sim$40\% in comparison to the reported \textit{p}-type CoTiSb. We propose that doping at Bi-site, on account of electronic features, will be helpful in achieving the proposed power factor values. Interestingly, the thermal conductivity of CoTiBi and CoZrBi was found to be lower and that of CoHfBi was almost parallel, in comparison to the reported CoTiSb. We also provide conservative estimates of the figure of merit, exceeding the reported CoTiSb and comparable to FeNbSb. Overall, our results suggest potential new candidates of bismuth-based ternary compounds for high thermoelectric performance.
1904.02488v1
2012-09-12
Spin configurations in Co2FeAl0.4Si0.6 Heusler alloy thin film elements
We determine experimentally the spin structure of half-metallic Co2FeAl0.4Si0.6 Heusler alloy elements using magnetic microscopy. Following magnetic saturation, the dominant magnetic states consist of quasi-uniform configurations, where a strong influence from the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is visible. Heating experiments show the stability of the spin configuration of domain walls in confined geometries up to 800 K. The switching temperature for the transition from transverse to vortex walls in ring elements is found to increase with ring width, an effect attributed to structural changes and consequent changes in magnetic anisotropy, which start to occur in the narrower elements at lower temperatures.
1209.2702v1
2014-06-13
Investigation of the electronic and thermoelectric properties of Fe2 ScX (X = P, As and Sb) full Heusler alloys by using first principles calculations
By using ab initio electronic structure calculations here we report the three new full Heusler alloys which are possessing very good thermoelectric behavior and expected to be synthesized in the laboratories. These are Fe2 ScP, Fe2 ScAs and Fe2 ScSb compound. First two compounds are indirect band gap semiconductors and the last one shows semimetallic ground state. The value of band gap of Fe2 ScP and Fe2 ScAs is 0.3 and 0.09 eV, respectively. These compounds show the presence of flat conduction bands along {\Gamma} - X-direction suggesting for the large electron like effective mass and promising for very good thermoelectric behavior of the compounds. At 200 K, the Seebeck coefficients of Fe2 ScP, Fe2 ScAs and Fe2 ScSb compounds are -770, -386 and -192{\mu}V/K, respectively. The maximum power factor (P F ) is expected for the n-type doping in these materials. The heavily doped Fe2 ScP and Fe2 ScAs have P F >60 for a wide temperature range, which is comparable to the PF of Bi2 Te3 - a well known and one of the best commercially used thermoelectric material. Present work suggests the possible thermoelectric applicability of these materials in a wide temperature range.
1406.3425v1
2019-02-05
Co-existence of spin semi-metallic and Weyl semi-metallic behavior in FeRhCrGe
In this letter, we report the discovery of a new class of spintronic materials, namely spin semi-metals (SSM), employing both theoretical and experimental tools. The band structure of this class of materials is such that one of the spin bands resembles that of a semi-metal, while the other is similar to that of an insulator/semiconductor. This report is the experimental verification of the first SSM, FeRhCrGe, a quaternary Heusler alloy with a magnetic moment 3 $\mu_B$ and a Curie temperature of 550 K. The measurement below 300 K shows nearly temperature independent conductivity and a relatively moderate Hall effect. SSM behavior for FeRhCrGe is also confirmed by rigorous first principles calculations. Band structure calculations also reveal that the spin up (semi metallic) band has combined features of type II Weyl and nodal line semimetal. As such, this study opens up the possibility of a new class of material with combined spintronic and topological properties, which is important both from fundamental and applied point of view.
1902.01593v2
2020-04-15
Effect of chemical and hydrostatic pressure on the coupled magnetostructural transition of Ni-Mn-In Heusler alloys
Ni-Mn-In magnetic shape-memory Heusler alloys exhibit generally a large thermal hysteresis at their first-order martensitic phase transition which hinder a technological application in magnetic refrigeration. By optimizing the Cu content in Ni$_2$Cu$_x$Mn$_{1.4-x}$In$_{0.6}$, we obtained a thermal hysteresis of the martensitic phase transition in Ni$_{2}$Cu$_{0.2}$Mn$_{1.2}$In$_{0.6}$ of only 6 K. We can explain this very small hysteresis by an almost perfect habit plane at the interface of martensite and austenite phases. Application of hydrostatic pressure does not reduce the hysteresis further, but shifts the martensitic transition close to room temperature. The isothermal entropy change does not depend on warming or cooling protocols and is pressure independent. Experiments in pulsed-magnetic fields on Ni$_{2}$Cu$_{0.2}$Mn$_{1.2}$In$_{0.6}$ find a reversible magnetocaloric effect with a maximum adiabatic temperature change of -13 K.
2004.07145v1
2021-03-29
Prediction of electronic and half metallic properties of Mn$_2$YSn (Y = Mo, Nb, Zr) Heusler alloys
We investigate the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the full Heusler compounds Mn$_2$YSn (Y = Mo, Nb, Zr) by first-principles density functional theory using the generalized gradient approximation. It is found that the calculated lattice constants are in good agreement with the theoretical values. We observe that the Cu$_2$MnAl-type structure is more stable than the Hg$_2$CuTi type. The calculated total magnetic moments of Mn$_2$NbSn and Mn$_2$ZrSn are 1 $\mu_{\text{B}}$ and 2 $\mu_{\text{B}}$ at the equilibrium lattice constant of 6.18 \AA and 6.31 \AA, respectively, for the Cu$_2$MnAl-type structure. Mn$_2$MoSn have a metallic character in both Hg$_2$CuTi and Cu$_2$MnAl type structures. The total spin magnetic moment obeys the Slater-Pauling rule. Half-metal exhibits 100% spin polarization at the Fermi level. Thus, these alloys are promising magnetic candidates in spintronic devices.
2103.15542v1
2022-03-22
A strategic high throughput search for identifying stable Li based half Heusler alloys for spintronics applications
In this work, high throughput DFT calculations are performed on the alkali metal-based half Heusler alloys; LiY$_p$Y$^\prime_{1-p}$S (Y, Y$^\prime$ = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and $\mathit{p}$ = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1). Starting with 243 structural replica, systematic filters are designed to select the energetically and vibrationally favorable compositions by considering the contributions stemming from the magnetic alignments of the ions. Thereby, 26 dynamically stable magnetic compositions are identified, of which 10 are found to be ferromagnetic (FM), 4 antiferromagnetic (AFM) and 12 ferrimagnetic (FiM). 4 FM and 8 FiM ones are found to show 100 $\%$ spin polarization. Further, tetragonal distortion is found to be present in 4 FM, 3 FiM and 4 AFM compositions, which indicates the possibility of easy-axis magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The ferromagnetic LiFe$_{0.5}$Mn$_{0.5}$S and antiferromagnetic LiFeS are found to have the most prominent easy-axis magnetocrystalline anisotropy.
2203.11794v1
2022-03-22
Lattice Dynamics, Mechanical Properties, Electronic Structure and Magnetic Properties of Equiatomic Quaternary Heusler Alloys CrTiCoZ (Z =Al,Si) using first principles calculations
First principles calculations are performed to investigate the thermodynamical stability, dynamical, mechanical, electronic and magnetic properties of CrTiCoZ (Z= Al/Si) novel quaternary Heusler alloys. Y-type III atomic configuration is found to be the most stable structure for both compounds. The melting temperatures of both compounds are as high as 2142 K and 2420 K for CrTiCoAl and CrTiCoSi, respectively. The electronic structure calculations using GGA-PBE approach show a half metallic behavior of CrTiCoAl. The spin-down channel exhibits a direct band gap of 0.15 eV, whereas the spin-up channel is metallic making CrTiCoAl a half metallic ferromagnet with 100% spin polarization and an appreciable magnetic moment of -2 Bohr Magnetons. The Curie temperature of CrTiCoAl is well above the room temperature (385K), whereas that of CrTiCoSi is below the room temperature (203K).
2203.11858v1
2022-03-23
Effective decoupling of ferromagnetic sublattices by frustration in Heusler alloys
Magnetic frustration in ferromagnetic metallic systems is unusual due to the long-range and symmetric nature of the exchange interactions. In this work we prove that it is possible to obtain a highly frustrated ferromagnetic phase in a multi-sublattices cubic structure through a fine tuning of the magnetic interactions. This peculiar state is achieved in Ni-Mn-(In, Sn) Heusler alloys and results in the effective decoupling of their two intertwined ferromagnetic sublattices. One sublattice is ferromagnetic long range ordered below the macroscopic Curie temperature (TC ) whereas the second one remains disordered until a crossover to a polarized state occurs at T << TC . This result points out that a fine engineering of the magnetic interactions in metallic systems can lead to interesting novel and emergent phenomena.
2203.12498v2
2016-03-29
Revealing the nature of magnetic phases in the semi-Heusler alloy Cu0.85Ni0.15MnSb
We report the magnetic, magnetocaloric, and magnetotransport properties of the semi-Heusler alloy Cu0.85Ni0.15MnSb, which exhibits coexistence of antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) phases. A broad magnetic phase transition is evident from the temperature variations of magnetization, heat capacity, and isothermal magnetic entropy change. This is due to the presence of both AFM and FM phases at low temperatures. The variation of electrical resistivity with temperature shows three distinct regions of magnetic phases. The magnetoresistance (MR) results also show the presence of AFM and FM phases at temperatures below 45 K, and a FM phase at temperature above 45K. Though there is no signature of a spin-glass state at low temperatures, various results point towards the presence of short-range magnetic correlations at low temperatures.
1603.08618v1
2017-02-03
Field dependent neutron diffraction study in Ni50Mn38Sb12 Heusler alloy
In this paper, we present temperature and field dependent neutron diffraction (ND) study to unravel the structural and the magnetic properties in Ni50Mn38Sb12 Heusler system. This alloy shows martensitic transition from high temperature austenite cubic phase to low temperature martensite orthorhombic phase on cooling. At 3 K, the lattice parameters and magnetic moments are found to be almost insensitive to field. Just below the martensitic transition temperature, the martensite phase fraction is found to be 85%. Upon applying the field, the austenite phase becomes dominant, and the field induced reverse martensitic transition is clearly observed in the ND data. Therefore, the present study gives an estimate of the strength of the martensite phase or the sharpness of the martensitic transition. Variation of individual moments and the change in the phase fraction obtained from the analysis of the ND data vividly show the change in the magneto-structural state of the material across the transition.
1702.00940v1
2019-05-21
Competition of L21 and XA Ordering in Fe2CoAl Heusler Alloy: A First-Principles Study
The physical properties of Fe2CoAl (FCA) Heusler alloy are systematically investigated using the first-principles calculations within generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and GGA+U. The influence of atomic ordering with respect to the Wyckoff sites on the phase stability, magnetism and half metallicity in both the conventional L21 and XA phases of FCA is focused in this study. Various possible hypothetical structures viz., L21, XA-I, and XA-II are prepared by altering atomic occupancies at their Wyckoff sites. At first, we have determined the stable phase of FCA considering various non-magnetic (or paramagnetic), ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) configurations. Out of these, the ferromagnetic (FM) XA-I structure is found to be energetically most stable. The total magnetic moments per cell are not in agreement with the Slater-Pauling (SP) rule in any phases; therefore, the half-metallicity is not observed in any configurations. However, FM ordered XA-I type FCA shows 78% spin polarization at EF. Interestingly, the results of XA-I type FCA are closely matched with the experimental results.
1905.08476v2
2019-09-07
Designing rare-earth free permanent magnets in Heusler alloys via interstitial doping
Based on high-throughput density functional theory calculations, we investigated the effects of light interstitial H, B, C, and N atoms on the magnetic properties of cubic Heusler alloys, with the aim to design new rare-earth free permanent magnets. It is observed that the interstitial atoms induce significant tetragonal distortions, leading to 32 candidates with large ($>$ 0.4 MJ/m$^3$) uniaxial magneto-crystalline anisotropy energies (MAEs) and 10 cases with large in-plane MAEs. Detailed analysis following the the perturbation theory and chemical bonding reveals the strong MAE originates from the local crystalline distortions and thus the changes of the chemical bonding around the interstitials. This provides a valuable way to tailor the MAEs to obtain competitive permanent magnets, filling the gap between high performance Sm-Co/Nd-Fe-B and widely used ferrite/AlNiCo materials.
1909.03275v1
2019-09-23
Giant magnetocaloric effect in Co2FeAl Heusler alloy nanoparticles
A giant magnetocaloric effect across the ferromagnetic (FM) to paramagnetic (PM) phase transition was observed in chemically synthesized Co2FeAl Heusler alloy nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 16 nm. In our previous report, we have observed a significant enhancement in its saturation magnetization (Ms) and Curie temperature (Tc) as compared with the bulk counterpart. Motivated from those results, here, we aim to explore its magnetocaloric properties near the Tc. The magnetic entropy change shows a positive anomaly at 1252 K. Magnetic entropy change increases linearly with the magnetic field, and a large value of ~15 J/Kg-K is detected under a moderate field of 14 kOe. It leads to a net relative cooling power of 89 J/Kg for the magnetic field change of 14 kOe. To confirm the nature of magnetic phase transition, a detailed study of its magnetization is performed. The Arrott plot and nature of the universal curve conclude that FM to PM phase transition in the present system is of second-order.
1909.10201v4
2020-02-27
Ultrafast magnetization dynamics in half-metallic Co$_2$FeAl Heusler alloy
We report on optically induced, ultrafast magnetization dynamics in the Heusler alloy $\mathrm{Co_{2}FeAl}$, probed by time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect. Experimental results are compared to results from electronic structure theory and atomistic spin-dynamics simulations. Experimentally, we find that the demagnetization time ($\tau_{M}$) in films of $\mathrm{Co_{2}FeAl}$ is almost independent of varying structural order, and that it is similar to that in elemental 3d ferromagnets. In contrast, the slower process of magnetization recovery, specified by $\tau_{R}$, is found to occur on picosecond time scales, and is demonstrated to correlate strongly with the Gilbert damping parameter ($\alpha$). Our results show that $\mathrm{Co_{2}FeAl}$ is unique, in that it is the first material that clearly demonstrates the importance of the damping parameter in the remagnetization process. Based on these results we argue that for $\mathrm{Co_{2}FeAl}$ the remagnetization process is dominated by magnon dynamics, something which might have general applicability.
2002.12255v1
2020-07-12
Magnetocaloric effect in Ni2(Mn,Cu)Ga0.84Al0.16 Heusler alloys
Polycrystalline Heusler compounds Ni2Mn0.75Cu0.25Ga0.84Al0.16 with a martensitic transition between ferromagnetic phases and Ni2Mn0.70Cu0.30Ga0.84Al0.16 with a magnetostructural transformation were investigated by magnetization and thermal measurements, both as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The compound Ni2Mn0.75Cu0.25Ga0.84Al0.16 presents a large magnetocaloric effect among magnetically aligned structures and its causes are explored. In addition, Ni2Mn0.70Cu0.30Ga0.84Al0.16 shows very high, although irreversible, entropy and adiabatic temperature change at room temperature under a magnetic field change 0-1 T. Improved refrigerant capacity is also a highlight of the 30% Cu material when compared to similar Ni2MnGa-based alloys.
2007.05899v2
2020-10-16
Visualizing half-metallic bulk band structure with multiple Weyl cones of the Heusler ferromagnet
Using a well-focused soft X-ray synchrotron radiation beam, angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy was applied to a full-Heusler-type Co$_2$MnGe alloy to elucidate its bulk band structure. A large parabolic band at the Brillouin zone center and several bands that cross the Fermi level near the Brillouin zone boundary were identified in line with the results from first-principles calculations. These Fermi level crossings are ascribed to majority spin bands that are responsible for electron transport with extremely high spin polarization especially along the direction being perpendicular to the interface of magneto-resistive devices. The spectroscopy confirms there is no contribution of the minority spin bands to the Fermi surface, signifying half-metallicity for the alloy. Furthermore, two topological Weyl cones with band crossing points were identified around the $X$ point, yielding the conclusion that Co$_2$MnGe could exhibit topologically meaningful behavior such as large anomalous Hall and Nernst effects driven by the Berry flux in its half-metallic band structure.
2010.08415v1
2021-02-15
Prediction of a Heusler alloy with switchable metal-to-half-metal behavior
We propose a ferromagnetic Heusler alloy that can switch between a metal and a half-metal. Thiseffect can provide tunable spintronics properties. Using the density functional theory (DFT) withreliable implementations of the electron correlation effects, we find Mn2ScSi total energy curvesconsisting of distinct branches with a very small energy difference. The phase at low lattice crystalvolume is a low magnetic half-metallic state while the phase at high lattice crystal volume is a highmagnetic metallic state. We suggest that the transition between half-metallic and metallic statescan be triggered by a triaxial contraction/expansion of the crystal lattice or by an external magneticfield if we assume that the lattice is cubic and remains cubic under expansion/contraction. However,the phase at high volume can also undergo an austenite-martensite phase transition because of thepresence of Jahn-Teller active3delectrons on the Mn atoms.
2102.07447v1
2021-06-06
Prediction of half-metallicity and spin-gapless semiconducting behavior in the new series of FeCr-based quaternary Heusler alloys: an ab initio study
This paper presents a detailed investigation of FeCr-based quaternary Heusler alloys. By using ultrasoft pseudopotential, electronic and magnetic properties of the compounds are studied within the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT) by using the Quantum Espresso package. The thermodynamic, mechanical, and dynamical stability of the compounds is established through the comprehensive study of different mechanical parameters and phonon dispersion curves. The meticulous study of elastic parameters such as bulk, Young's, shear moduli, etc. is done to understand different mechanical properties. The FeCr-based compounds containing also Yttrium are studied to redress the contradictory electronic and magnetic properties observed in the literature. The interesting properties like half-metallicity and spin-gapless semiconducting (SGS) behavior are realized in the compounds under study.
2106.03026v1
2021-11-29
Half-metallic Ferromagnets, Spin Gapless Semiconductors, and Topological Semimetals Based on Heusler Alloys
A review of theoretical and experimental studies of the electronic structure, electronic and magnetic properties of various systems of Heusler alloys in the states of a half-metallic ferromagnet, a spin gapless semiconductor, and a topological semimetal is presented. These substances have unusual, highly sensitive to external influences, magnetic and electronic characteristics, which is associated with the presence of energy gaps and exotic excitations in them. The features of the behavior and evolution of the electronic structure and properties in each of these states, as well as during the transition between them, are considered. The possibility to purposefully control the properties of such materials is prospective for their practical application.
2111.14537v1
2022-08-06
Giant spin Hall effect in half-Heusler alloy topological semimetal YPtBi grown at low temperature
Half-Heusler alloy topological semimetal YPtBi is a promising candidate for an efficient spin source material having both large spin Hall angle ${\theta}$$_{SH}$ and high thermal stability. However, high-quality YPtBi thin films with low bulk carrier density are usually grown at 600${\deg}$C, which exceeds the limitation of 400${\deg}$C for back end of line (BEOL) process. Here, we investigate the crystallinity and spin Hall effect of YPtBi thin films grown at lower growth temperature down to 300${\deg}$C. Although ${\theta}$$_{SH}$ degraded with lowering the growth temperature to 300${\deg}$C due to degradation of the crystallinity, it was recovered by reducing the sputtering Ar gas pressure. We achieved a giant ${\theta}$$_{SH}$ up to 8.2 and demonstrated efficient spin-orbit torque magnetization switching by ultralow current density of ~10$^5$ A/cm$^2$ in YPtBi grown at 300${\deg}$C with the Ar gas pressure of 1 Pa. Our results provide the recipe to achieve giant ${\theta}$$_{SH}$ in YPtBi grown at lower growth temperature suitable for BEOL process.
2208.03413v1
2022-09-18
Superparamagnetic and metal-like Ru2TiGe: a propitious thermoelectric material
We report a study of structural, magnetic, heat capacity and thermoelectric properties of a Rubased Heusler alloy, Ru2TiGe. The magnetic measurements reveal that at higher temperatures, diamagnetic and Pauli paramagnetic contributions dominate the magnetic behaviour whereas, at lower temperatures (T<= 20 K), superparamagnetic interaction among clusters is observed. Effect of such magnetic defects is also evident in the electrical resistivity behaviour at lower temperatures. Though the temperature dependence of resistivity exhibits a metal-like nature, the large value of Seebeck coefficient leads to an appreciable power factor of the order of 1 mW/mK2 at 300 K. Large power factor as well as low thermal conductivity results in a value of ZT = 0.025 at 390 K for Ru2TiGe that is orders of magnitude higher than that of the other pure Heusler alloys and point towards its high potential for practical thermoelectric applications.
2209.08474v1
2022-11-22
Impact of Boron doping to the tunneling magnetoresistance of Heusler alloy Co2FeAl
Heusler alloys based magnetic tunnel junctions can potentially provide high magnetoresistance, small damping and fast switching. Here junctions with Co2FeAl as a ferromagnetic electrode are fabricated by room temperature sputtering on Si/SiO2 substrates. The doping of Boron in Co2FeAl is found to have a large positive impact on the structural, magnetic and transport properties of the junctions, with a reduced interfacial roughness and substantial improved tunneling magnetoresistance. A two-level magnetoresistance is also observed in samples annealed at low temperature, which is believed to be related to the memristive effect of the tunnel barrier with impurities.
2211.12448v1
2023-09-11
Experimental realization of a high Curie temperature CoFeRuSn quaternary Heusler alloy for spintronic applications
We synthesize CoFeRuSn equiatomic quaternary Heusler alloy using arc-melt technique and investigate its structural, magnetic and transport properties. The room temperature powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that CoFeRuSn crystallizes in cubic crystal structure with small amount of DO3 - disorder. The field dependence of magnetization shows non-zero but small hysteresis and saturation behavior up to room temperature, indicating soft ferromagnetic nature of CoFeRuSn. The magnetic moment estimated from the magnetization data is found to be 4.15 {\mu}B / f.u., which is slightly less than the expected Slater-Pauling rule. The deviation in the value of experimentally observed moment from the theoretical value might be due to small disorder in the crystal. The low temperature fit to electrical resistivity data show absence of quadratic temperature dependence of resistivity, suggesting half-metallic behavior of CoFeRuSn. The high Curie temperature and possible half-metallic behavior of CoFeRuSn make it a highly promising candidate for room temperature spintronic applications.
2309.05493v1
2023-11-26
Machine Learning-based estimation and explainable artificial intelligence-supported interpretation of the critical temperature from magnetic ab initio Heusler alloys data
Machine Learning (ML) has impacted numerous areas of materials science, most prominently improving molecular simulations, where force fields were trained on previously relaxed structures. One natural next step is to predict material properties beyond structure. In this work, we investigate the applicability and explainability of ML methods in the use case of estimating the critical temperature for magnetic Heusler alloys calculated using ab initio methods determined materials-specific magnetic interactions and a subsequent Monte Carlo (MC) approach. We compare the performance of regression and classification models to predict the range of the critical temperature of given compounds without performing the MC calculations. Since the MC calculation requires computational resources in the same order of magnitude as the density-functional theory (DFT) calculation, it would be advantageous to replace either step with a less computationally intensive method such as ML. We discuss the necessity to generate the magnetic ab initio results to make a quantitative prediction of the critical temperature. We used state-of-the-art explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods to extract physical relations and deepen our understanding of patterns learned by our models from the examined data.
2311.15423v1
2024-03-27
THz probing of non-trivial topological states in Co2MnGe Heusler alloy thin films
Co2MnGe (CMG) has been demonstrated recently as a half-metallic ferromagnetic Heusler alloy which possesses a topologically non-trivial band structure. This behavior is unique to such systems and hence warrants extensive experimental exploration for potential spintronic and chirality sensitive optoelectonic applications. Here, we demonstrate that an epitaxial thin film of CMG acts as a source of THz radiation upon photoexcitation by optical femtosecond laser pulses. Detailed experiments have revealed that a large contribution to THz emission occurs due to nonmagnetic or spin-independent origin, however, significant contribution in the THz generation is evidenced through excitation light helicity dependent circular photogalvanic effect (CPGE) confirming the presence of topologically non-trivial carriers. Furthermore, we show that not only the topological contribution is easily suppressed but also the overall THz generation efficiency is also affected adversely for the epitaxial films grown at high substrate temperatures.
2403.18332v1
2015-06-23
Design of compensated ferrimagnetic Heusler alloys for giant tunable exchange bias
The discovery of materials with improved functionality can be accelerated by rational material design. Heusler compounds with tunable magnetic sublattices allow to implement this concept to achieve novel magnetic properties. Here, we have designed a family of Heusler alloys with a compensated ferrimagnetic state. In the vicinity of the compensation composition in Mn-Pt-Ga, a giant exchange bias (EB) of more than 3 T and a similarly large coercivity are established. The large exchange anisotropy originates from the exchange interaction between the compensated host and ferrimagnetic clusters that arise from intrinsic anti-site disorder. We demonstrate the applicability of our design concept on a second material, Mn-Fe-Ga, with a magnetic transition above room temperature, exemplifying the universality of the concept and the feasibility of room-temperature applications. Our study points to a new direction for novel magneto-electronic devices. At the same time it suggests a new route for realizing rare-earth free exchange-biased hard magnets, where the second quadrant magnetization can be stabilized by the exchange bias.
1506.07028v1
2021-07-19
Impact of local arrangement of Fe and Ni in Fe-Ni-Al Heusler alloys on the phase stability and magnetocrystalline anisotropy
On the basis of the density functional calculations in combination with the supercell approach, we report on a complete study of the influences of atomic arrangement and Ni substitution for Al on the ground state structural and magnetic properties for Fe$_2$Ni$_{1+x}$Al$_{1-x}$ Heusler alloys. We discuss systematically the competition between five cubic Heusler-type structures formed by shuffles of Fe and Ni atoms to reveal routes for improving the phase stability and magnetic properties, in particular magnetocrystalline anisotropy~(MAE). We predict that in case of Fe$_2$NiAl the ground state cubic structure with alternated layers of Fe and Ni possesses the highest uniaxial MAE which twice larger than that for the tetragonal L1$_0$ FeNi. The successive Ni doping at Al sublattice leads to a change of ground state structure and to reduce of the MAE. In addition, the phase stability against the decomposition into the stable systems at finite-temperatures is discussed. All~Ni-rich Fe$_2$Ni$_{1+x}$Al$_{1-x}$ are turned to be decomposed into a dual-phase consisting of Fe$_2$NiAl and FeNi.
2107.08804v2
2019-07-05
Tunability of domain structure and magnonic spectra in antidot arrays of Heusler alloy
Materials suitable for magnonic crystals demand low magnetic damping and long spin wave (SW) propagation distance. In this context Co based Heusler compounds are ideal candidates for magnonic based applications. In this work, antidot arrays (with different shapes) of epitaxial $\mathrm{Co}_2\mathrm{Fe}_{0.4}\mathrm{Mn}_{0.6}\mathrm{Si}$ (CFMS) Heusler alloy thin films have been prepared using e-beam lithography and sputtering technique. Magneto-optic Kerr effect and ferromagnetic resonance analysis have confirmed the presence of dominant cubic and moderate uniaxial magnetic anisotropies in the thin films. Domain imaging via x-ray photoemission electron microscopy on the antidot arrays reveals chain like switching or correlated bigger domains for different shape of the antidots. Time-resolved MOKE microscopy has been performed to study the precessional dynamics and magnonic modes of the antidots with different shapes. We show that the optically induced spin-wave spectra in such antidot arrays can be tuned by changing the shape of the holes. The variation in internal field profiles, pinning energy barrier, and anisotropy modifies the spin-wave spectra dramatically within the antidot arrays with different shapes. We further show that by combining the magnetocrystalline anisotropy with the shape anisotropy, an extra degree of freedom can be achieved to control the magnonic modes in such antidot lattices.
1907.02746v1
2014-02-07
Fermi sea term in the relativistic linear muffin-tin-orbital transport theory for random alloys
We present a formulation of the so-called Fermi sea contribution to the conductivity tensor of spin-polarized random alloys within the fully relativistic tight-binding linear muffin-tin-orbital (TB-LMTO) method and the coherent potential approximation (CPA). We show that the configuration averaging of this contribution leads to the CPA-vertex corrections that are solely due to the energy dependence of the average single-particle propagators. Moreover, we prove that this contribution is indispensable for the invariance of the anomalous Hall conductivities with respect to the particular LMTO representation used in numerical implementation. Ab initio calculations for cubic ferromagnetic 3d transition metals (Fe, Co, Ni) and their random binary alloys (Ni-Fe, Fe-Si) indicate that the Fermi sea term is small against the dominating Fermi surface term. However, for more complicated structures and systems, such as hexagonal cobalt and selected ordered and disordered Co-based Heusler alloys, the Fermi sea term plays a significant role in the quantitative theory of the anomalous Hall effect.
1402.1643v1
2015-05-01
Half-metallic state and magnetic properties versus the lattice constant in Zr2RhZ (Z = Al, Ga, In) Heusler alloys
The half metallic and magnetic properties of Zr2RhZ (Z = Al, Ga, In) alloys with an Hg2CuTi-type structure were systematically investigated using the first-principle calculations. Zr2RhZ (Z = Al, Ga, In) alloys are predicted to be half-metallic ferrimagnets at their equilibrium lattice constants. The Zr2Rh-based alloys have Mt (the total magnetic moment per unit cell) and Zt (the valence concentration) values that in agreement with Slater-Pauling rule Mt = Zt -18. The half-metallic properties and the magnetic properties at different lattice constants are discussed in detail. We expect that our results may trigger Zr2RhZ (Z = Al, Ga, In) applying in the future spintronics field.
1505.00203v1