Magnetization studies of the Heusler alloys, Ni2MnxTi1−xSn, Ni2MnxV1−xSn, and Ni2MnxCr1−xSn

Abstract

Magnetization measurements are reported for the alloy series, Ni2MnxTi1−xSn, where T is Ti, V, or Cr. Alloys containing Ti or V were studied at compositions corresponding to x = 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, and 0.0. The Cr series was studied for x = 1, 0.8, 0.6, and 0.4; beyond this composition, the samples are polyphase. For the Ti series, all of the alloys containing Mn are ferromagnetic with Currie temperatures in the range 345 K to 261 K, and saturation moments in the range 4.04 μB to 0.47 μB per molecule. All of the V alloys containing Mn are ferromagnetic with Curie points between 345 K and 45 K, and saturation moments between 4.04 μB and 0.60 μB per molecule. Curie points for the Cr series range between 345 K and 220 K and the saturation moments vary from 4.04 μB to 2.11 μB per molecule. Susceptibility studies on the Ti, V, and Cr series show Curie–Weiss behaviour and indicate an effective moment of ~5 μB per Mn atom. The interpretation of the results is consistent with a contribution of ~ −1 μB by a Ti atom to the magnetic moment, zero contribution by a V atom, and ~ +1 μB by a Cr atom.