Effect of Sb-doping on martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric effect in Mn-rich Mn_(50)Ni_(40)Sn_(10-x)Sb_x(x=1,2,3,and 4) alloys

We investigate the influence of Sb-doping on the martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric effect in Mn_(50)Ni_(40)Sn_(10-x)Sb_x(x = 1, 2, 3, and 4) alloys. All the prepared samples exhibit a B2-type structure with the space group F m3 m at room temperature. The substitution of Sb increases the valence electron concentration and decreases the unit cell volume. As a result, the magnetostructural transformation shifts rapidly towards higher temperatures as x increases.The changes in magnetic entropy under different magnetic field variations are explored around this transformation. The isothermal magnetization curves exhibit typical metamagnetic behavior, indicating that the magnetostructural transformation can be induced by a magnetic field. The tunable martensitic transformation and magnetic entropy changes suggest that Mn_(50)Ni_(40)Sn_(10-x)Sb_x alloys are attractive candidates for applications in solid-state refrigeration.     

哈斯勒合金Ni-Co-Mn-Sn的马氏体相变及其磁热效应研究

通过结构和磁性测量,研究了四元哈斯勒合金Ni_50-xCo_xMn₃₈Sn₁₂（x=1, 2, 4, 6, 8）的晶体结构和相变特征.结果表明,Co原子的掺杂不但没有影响三元哈斯勒合金Ni-Mn-Sn的原有结构,而且还增强了样品在奥氏体相的铁磁交换作用.此外,通过Maxwell方程计算了其中三种成分样品（x= 2, 4, 6）的磁熵变ΔS_{M关键词： 哈斯勒合金 Ni-Co-Mn-Sn 马氏体相变 磁热效应}     

Ferromagnetism and magnetostructural coupling in V-doped MnNiGe alloys

The magnetostructural coupling between magnetic and structure transitions plays an important role in the multifunctional applications of magentocaloric materials. In this work, ferromagnetism and magnetostructural transformation are achieved in nonmagnetic V-doped MnNiGe alloys. With simultaneously reducing the transformation temperature and converting antiferromagnetic martensite to ferromagnetic state, the magnetostructural transformation between ferromagnetic orthorhombic phase and paramagnetic hexagonal phase is established in a temperature region as large as 130 K. The magnetic-field-induced magnetostructural transformation is accompanied by considerable magnetocaloric effect.     

Successive inverse and normal magnetocaloric effects in the Mn-vacancy compound Mn_(0.95)Co_(0.75)Cu_(0.25)Ge

Ferromagnetic-structural transformation has been studied widely in MnCoGe-based materials. However, the magnetostructural transition(MST) from antiferromagnetic(AFM) orthorhombic phase to ferromagnetic(FM) hexagonal phase, which may lead to a large inverse magnetocaloric effect(MCE), has rarely been reported. Here, the introduction of Mn vacancy lowers the structural transition temperature while retains the AFM state in the orthorhombic phase, thus successfully realizing the AFM-FM MST in Mn_(0.95)Co_(0.75)Cu_(0.25)Ge. Moreover, successive inverse and normal MCEs are observed around the first-order AFM-FM MST and the second-order FM-paramagnetic(PM) transition, respectively. A thermostat is proposed based on this special feature, which could release heat above the critical temperature while absorb heat below the critical temperature by simply applying the same magnetization/demagnetization cycles. This thermostat can be very useful in many applications where a constant temperature is required, such as cryostats and incubators.     

Magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric effect in Mn_(1-x)Zn_xCoGe alloys

The magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric effect are studied in a series of Mn1-xZnxCoGe(x = 0.01, 0.02,0.04, and 0.08) alloys. By introducing a small quantity of Zn element, the structural transformation temperature of the MnCoGe alloy is greatly reduced and a first-order magnetostructural transition is observed. Further increasing the Zn concentration results in a second-order ferromagnetic transition. Large room-temperature magnetocaloric effects with small magnetic hysteresis are obtained in alloys with x = 0.01 and 0.02, which suggests their potential application in magnetic refrigeration.     

Magnetoresistance and exchange bias in high Mn content melt-spun Mn_(46)Ni_(42)Sn_(11)Sb_1 alloy ribbon

Highly textured Heusler alloy Mn_(46)Ni_(42)Sn_(11)Sb_1 ribbons were prepared by melt spinning. The annealed high Mn content Mn46Ni42Sn11Sb1 ribbon cross-section microstructure, crystal structure, martensitic transformation(MT), and magnetoresistance(MR) properties were investigated. The MR in the annealed ribbon was assessed by the magnetic field direction perpendicular to the ribbon surface with the magnetic field up to 30 k Oe. The large negative value of 25% for MR was obtained at 244 K. The exchange bias(EB) effects of the as-spun and annealed ribbons were investigated. After annealing, the EB effects have been improved by about 25 Oe at the temperature of 50 K. The magnetizations have increased approximately by 10% more than the as-spun ribbon.     

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn5G3-xGax

We report on the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn_5Ge_{3-x}Ga_x compounds with x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9. All samples crystallize in the hexagonal Mn_5Si_3-type structure with space group P6_3/mcm and order ferromagnetically. The Curie temperature of these compounds decreases with increasing x, from 306K (x=0.1) to 274K (x=0.9). The average Mn magnetic moments increases with increasing Ga content, reaching a maximum value at x=0.6. The magnetic entropy changes in these compounds are determined from the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization using the thermodynamic Maxwell relation. The Ga substitution has two kinds of influence on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Mn_5Ge_3. One is that the magnitude of the magnetic entropy change decreases, the other is that the MCE peak becomes broadened.     

Magnetic glass in shape memory alloy: Ni(45)Co(5)Mn(38)Sn(12)

The first order martensitic transition in the ferromagnetic shape memory alloy Ni(45)Co(5)Mn(38)Sn(12) is also a magnetic transition and has a large field induced effect. While cooling in the presence of a field this first order magnetic martensite transition is kinetically arrested. Depending on the cooling field, a fraction of the arrested ferromagnetic austenite phase persists down to the lowest temperature as a magnetic glassy state, similar to the one observed in various intermetallic alloys and in half doped manganites. A detailed investigation of this first order ferromagnetic austenite (FM-A) to low magnetization martensite (LM-M) state transition as a function of temperature and field has been carried out by magnetization measurements. Extensive cooling and heating in unequal field (CHUF) measurements and a novel field cooled protocol for isothermal MH measurements (FC-MH) are utilized to investigate the glass like arrested states and show a reverse martensite transition. Finally, we determine a field-temperature (HT) phase diagram of Ni(45)Co(5)Mn(38)Sn(12) from various magnetization measurements which brings out the regions where thermodynamic and metastable states coexist in the HT space, clearly depicting this system as a 'magnetic glass'.     

Vortex domain structures and dc currentdependence of magneto-resistances in magnetic tunnel junctions

Microfabrication and the magneto-transport characteristics of the magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with a spin-valve-type structure of Ta (5nm)/Ni_{79}Fe_{21} (25nm)/Ir_{22}Mn_{78} (12nm)/Co_{75}Fe_{25} (4nm)/Al(0.8nm) oxide/Co_{75}Fe_{25} (4nm)/Ni_{79}Fe_{21} (20nm)/Ta(5nm) were investigated in this paper. A series of experimental data measured with a MTJ was used to verify a magnon-assisted tunnelling model and theory. Furthermore, a micromagnetics simulation shows that the butterfly-like vortex domain structures can be formed under a current-induced Oersted field, which decreases the net magnetization values of the ferromagnetic electrodes under a large dc current (i.e., in high voltage regimes). It is one of the main reasons for the tunnel magnetoresistance ratios to decrease significantly at high voltage biasing.     

Role of Ge in bridging ferromagnetism in the giant magnetocaloric Gd5(Ge1-xSix)4 alloys

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) are used to study the electronic conduction states in Gd5(Ge(1-x)Si(x))4 materials through the first-order bond-breaking magnetostructural transition responsible for their giant magnetocaloric effect. Spin-dependent hybridization between Ge 4p and Gd 5d conduction states, which XMCD senses through the induced magnetic polarization in Ge ions, enables long-range Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida ferromagnetic interactions between Gd 4f moments in adjacent Gd slabs connected by Ge(Si) bonds. These interactions are strong below but weaken above the Ge(Si) bond-breaking transition that destroys 3D ferromagnetic order.     

Electronic structures and magnetisms of the Co_2TiSb_(1-x)Sn_x(x= 0, 0.25, 0.5) Heusler alloys: A theoretical study of the shape-memory behavior

The total energy, electronic structures, and magnetisms of the Al Cu2Mn-type Co2TiSb1-xSnx(x = 0, 0.25, 0.5) with the different lattice parameter ratios of c/a are studied by using the first-principles calculations. It is found that the phase transformation from the cubic to the tetragonal structure lowers the total energy, indicating that the martensitic phase is more stable and that a phase transition from austenite to martensite may happen at a lower temperature. Thus, a ferromagnetic shape memory effect can be expected to occur in these alloys. The Al Cu2Mn-type Co2TiSb1-xSnx(x = 0, 0.25, 0.5) alloys are weak ferrimagnets in the austenitic phase and martensitic phase.     

Transformation behavior of Ni-Mn-Ga in the low-temperature limit

The magnetic, magnetocaloric and thermal characteristics have been studied in a Ni(50.3)Mn(20.8)Ga(27.6)V(1.3) ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) transforming martensitically at around 40?K. The alloy shows first a transformation from austenite to an intermediate phase and then a partial transformation to an orthorhombic martensite, all the phases being ferromagnetically ordered. The thermomagnetization dependences enabled observation of the magnetocaloric effect in the vicinity of the martensitic transformation (MT). The Debye temperature and the density of states at the Fermi level are equal to θ(D)?=?(276?±?4)?K and 1.3?states/atom?eV , respectively, and scarcely dependent on the magnetic field. The MT exhibited by Ni-Mn-Ga FSMAs at very low temperatures is distinctive in the sense that it is accompanied by a hardly detectable entropy change as a sign of a small driving force. The enhanced stability of the cubic phase and the low driving force of the MT stem from the reduced density of states near the Fermi level.     

Magnetostructural transition in NiCuCoMnGa alloys

The effects of the addition of Co on the martensitic transformation and Curie transition temperatures of polycrystalline Ni46-xCu4CoxMn33.sGa16.5 （x = 0, 1, 3, 5） alloys are investigated. An abrupt decrease in the martensitic transformation temperature and an obvious increase in the Curie transition temperature of austenite （TA） are observed when Co is doped in the NiCuMnGa alloy. As a result, the composition range for obtaining the magnetostructural transition is extended. Furthermore, the effect of a strong magnetic field on the magnetostructural transition is analyzed. This study offers a possible method to extend the composition range for obtaining magnetostructural transition in Heusler alloys.     

Effects of Cu on the martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of Mn_(50)Ni_(40)In_(10) alloy

The structures, the martensitic transformations, and the magnetic properties are studied systematically in Mn50Ni40-xCuxIn10, Mn50-xCuxNi40In10, and Mn50Ni40In10-xCux alloys. The partial substitution of Ni by Cu reduces the martensitic transformation temperature, but has little influence on the Curie temperature of austenite. Comparatively, the martensitic transformation temperature increases and the Curie temperature of austenite decreases with the partial replacement of Mn or In by Cu. The magnetization difference between the austenite phase and the martensite phase reaches 70 emu/g in Mn50Ni39Cu1In10; a field-induced martensite-to-austenite transition is observed in this alloy.     

Effects of the Mn/Co ratio on the magnetic transition and magnetocaloric properties of Mn1+xCo1-xGe alloys

We have investigated the magnetic transition and magnetocaloric effects of Mn 1+x Co 1 x Ge alloys by tuning the ratio of Mn/Co.With increasing Mn content,a series of first-order magnetostructural transitions from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic states with large changes of magnetization are observed at room temperature.Further increasing the content of Mn (x=0.11) gives rise to a single second-order magnetic transition.Interestingly,large low-field magnetic entropy changes with almost zero magnetic hysteresis are observed in these alloys.The effects of Mn/Co ratio on magnetic transition and magnetocaloric effects are discussed in this paper.     

Effect of Ni substitution on the formability and magnetic properties of Gd_(50)Co_(50) amorphous alloy

A small amount of Ni was added into the binary Gd_(50)Co_(50) amorphous alloy to replace Gd in order to obtain ternary Co_(50)Gd_(50-x)Ni_x(x = 1, 2, and 3) amorphous alloys. Compared to the binary Gd_(50)Co_(50) amorphous alloy, the Co_(50)Gd_(50-x)Ni_x amorphous alloys show an enhanced Curie temperature(T_C) with a weakened formability. The maximum magnetic entropy change(-?S_m~(peak)) of the Co_(50)Gd_(50-x)Ni_x amorphous alloys is found to decrease with the increasing T_C.The adiabatic temperature rise(?T_(ad)) of the Co_(50)Gd_(47)Ni_3 amorphous alloy is superior to that of the Fe-based metallic glasses at room temperature. The variation of the T_C and -?S_~(peak) of the Gd_(50)Co_(50) amorphous alloy with Ni addition, and the mechanism involved, were discussed.     

Cu对Ni50Mn36In14相变和磁性的影响

文章研究了Cu替代部分Ni对铁磁性形状记忆合金Ni₅₀Mn₃₆In₁₄相变和磁性的影响规律. 研究表明,在Ni_50-xCu_xMn₃₆In₁₄中,随着Cu含量的增加,相变温度逐渐降低. Cu含量低于5%时,奥氏体的磁性强于马氏体的磁性, 母相和马氏体相的饱和磁化强度的差值ΔM随着Cu含量的增加而增大. 当Cu含量x=4.5时, ΔM迅速增加到80 emu/g, 并在该材料中观察到了磁场驱动的马氏体到奥氏体的转变,显示了该材料作为磁驱动磁电阻材料的潜在应用前景.当Cu含量高于5%时,奥氏体保持铁磁状态, 马氏体相由反铁磁状态变为铁磁状态,马氏体的磁性强于奥氏体的磁性, ΔM大大削弱,磁场驱动性质消失.     

Spin excitations and spin wave gap in the ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal Co_3Sn_2S_2

We report a comprehensive neutron scattering study on the spin excitations in the magnetic Weyl semimetal Co3Sn2S2 with a quasi-two-dimensional structure.Both in-plane and out-of-plane dispersions of the spin waves were revealed in the ferromagnetic state.Similarly,dispersive but damped spin excitations were found in the paramagnetic state.The effective exchange interactions were estimated using a semi-classical Heisenberg model to consistently reproduce the experimental TCand spin stiffness.However,a full spin wave gap below Eg=2.3 meV was observed at T=4 K.This value was considerably larger than the estimated magnetic anisotropy energy(~0.6 meV),and its temperature dependence indicated a significant contribution from the Weyl fermions.These results suggest that Co3Sn2S2 is a three-dimensional correlated system with a large spin stiffness,and the low-energy spin dynamics can interplay with the topological electron states.     

Magnetic phase transitions and magnetocaloric effect in the Fe-doped MnNiGe alloys

The magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric effects in Fe-doped MnNiGe alloys are investigated. The substitution of Fe for Ni decreases the structural transition temperature remarkably, resulting in the magnetostructural transition occurring between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic states in MnNi_{1 - x}Fe_xGe alloy. Owing to the enhanced ferromagnetic coupling induced by the substitution of Fe, metamagnetic behaviour is also observed in TiNiSi-type phase of MnNi_{1 - x}Fe_xGe alloys at temperature below the structural transition temperature.     

Magnetotransport properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn1.95Cr0.05Sb0.95Ga0.05 compound

The magnetotransport properties and magnetocaloric effects of the compound Mn_{1.95}Cr_{0.05}Sb_{0.95}Ga_{0.05} have been studied. With decreasing temperature, a spontaneous first-order magnetic phase transition from ferrimagnetic (FI) to antiferromagnetic (AF) state takes place at T_s=200K. A metamagnetic transition from the AF to FI state can be induced by an external field, accompanied by a giant magnetoresistance effect of 57%. The magnetic entropy changes are determined from the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization using the thermodynamic Maxwell relation. Mn_{1.95}Cr_{0.05}Sb_{0.95}Ga_{0.05} exhibits a negative magnetocaloric effect, and the absolute values of ΔS_M^{max}(T,ΔH) are 4.4, 4.1, 3.6, 2.8 and 1.5 J/(kg·K) for magnetic field changes of 0－5T, 0－4T, 0－3T, 0－2T and 0－1T, respectively.