The Forced Magnetostrictions and Magnetic Properties of Ni2MnX (X = In, Sn) Ferromagnetic Heusler Alloys

Abstract

Experimental studies into the forced magnetostriction, magnetization, and temperature dependence of permeability in Ni2MnIn and Ni2MnSn ferromagnetic Heusler alloys were performed according to the spin fluctuation theory of itinerant ferromagnetism proposed by Takahashi. We investigated the magnetic field (H) dependence of magnetization (M) at the Curie temperature TC, and at T = 4.2 K, which concerns the ground state of the ferromagnetic state. The M-H result at TC was analyzed by means of the H versus M5 dependence. At 4.2 K, it was investigated by means of an Arrott plot (H/M vs. M2) according to Takahashi’s theory. As for Ni2MnIn and Ni2MnSn, the spin fluctuation parameters in k-space (momentum space, TA) and that in energy space (frequency space, T0) obtained at TC and 4.2 K were almost the same. The average values obtained at TC and 4.2 K were TA = 342 K, T0 = 276 K for Ni2MnIn and TA = 447 K, T0 = 279 K for Ni2MnSn, respectively. The forced magnetostriction at TC was also investigated. The forced linear magnetostriction (ΔL/L) and the forced volume magnetostriction (ΔV/V) were proportional to M4, which followed Takahashi’s theory. We compared the forced volume magnetostriction ΔV/V and mechanical parameter, bulk modulus K. ΔV/V is inversely proportional to K. We also discuss the spin polarization of Ni2MnIn and other magnetic Heusler alloys. The pC/pS of Ni2MnIn was 0.860. This is comparable with that of Co2MnGa, which is a famous half-metallic alloy.