Magnetic and electrical properties of several Mn-based amorphous alloys

Magnetic and electrical properties of amorphous Mn-Y, Mn-Zr, and Mn-Nb alloys have been investigated. All these alloys have a temperature-dependent susceptibility which is well fitted by a Curie-Weiss law. This implies the existence of localized magnetic moments associated with the Mn atoms. In addition, amorphous Mn-Y alloys exhibit spin-glass characteristics at low temperature. The experimental results of the electrical resistivity show that the temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) of both Mn-Y and Mn-Zr are negative, while Mn-Nb has a positive TCR. On the other hand, the resistivity-temperature curves of Mn-Zr and Mn-Nb have nearly the same tendency but are different from that of Mn-Y.     

Theory of finite-temperature magnetism of NiMn. III

The magnetic properties of NiMn alloys at finite temperatures are investigated on the basis of an improved theory of the local environment effect (LEE). Magnetization vs. concentration curves, magnetization-temperature curves, phase diagram, high-field susceptibility and atomic short-range order dependence of the magnetization vs. temperature curves are calculated. The asymmetric behaviour of the high-field susceptibility around the critical concentration of ferromagnetism is explained by the LEE, as well as the itinerant character of the amplitude of the Ni local moment, for the first time. Two self-consistent solutions, corresponding to the high magnetization state and the low magnetization state, are found for a certain intermediate region of atomic order in Ni₃Mn. Therefore, the existence of metamagnetism is suggested in that region. The anomalous double-stage magnetization-temperature curves in Ni₃Mn alloys are explained by the transition from the high magnetization state to the low magnetization state.     

Construction of free-energy diagrams of amorphous alloys

Summary Free-energy diagrams of amorphous alloys are constructed using Miedema's semiempirical model of heats of formation. These diagrams account for the experimental glass-forming concentration range in binary alloys of transition metals. One of the main factors controlling glass formation is the elastic contribution to the heat of mixing of the solid solution phase. Free-energy diagrams of this kind are also useful for interpreting some characteristic processes occurring in amorphous systems, such as the spontaneous vitrification observed by Von Allmen and coworkers in several Ti-based and Nb-based alloys. The authors have agreed not to receive proofs for correction.     

钆钴非晶合金薄膜的电子衍射研究

用电子衍射方法研究了一些非晶钆钴合金磁性薄膜的结构,用Lorentz电子显微技术观察了其相应的磁结构。在所有薄膜的电子衍射图上均可清楚地看见七个弥散衍射环,其中两个最小的环分布在s<0.6?^-1(s=2sinθ/λ)的范围内。在不同的薄膜中观察到磁泡或平面畴结构。本文就这种由两种原子半径相差较大的元素,如稀土和过渡元素构成的非晶合金,讨论了如何只根据s<0.6?^-1范围内的衍射强度峰形,直接、定性地了解稀土与稀土原子、稀土与过渡族原子以及过渡族与过渡族原子之间最近邻配位数相对大小的问题。也讨论了钆钴薄膜相分离对磁各向异性的影响。 关键词：     

四种非晶磁性合金在流体静高压下的磁化特性

 在0.000 1~2.4 GPa流体静压力范围选30~36个压力点详细测量出FeCoNiSiVB、FeSiB、FeCrSiB和FeCoSiB四种非晶合金磁化曲线和磁导率曲线的压力效应，并采用多项式精确拟合和计算机逐点比较求出四种非晶合金饱和磁感应强度B_s最大磁导率μ_max与压力的关系。发现：（1）总趋势是B_s和μ_max都随压力增加而减小；（2）在2~3各压力区B_s和μ_max皆呈现反常增高。“（1）”可归因于交换积分常数A随原子间距减小而减小，导致磁畴内自发磁化强度下降；“（2）”可能由于在某些窄的压力范围内静水压能够促进非晶合金微结构的短程有序化。     

铁在高压下的结构与磁性的全势的线性Muffin-tin轨道研究

采用全势的线性Muffin-tin轨道(FP-LMTO)方法对铁在高压下的结构和磁性进行了系统的研 究.对铁存在的三种结构bcc,fcc和hcp分别以三种磁性耦合机理在很宽的体积范围内进行了 计算,得到系统的总能、磁矩随体积变化的关系;导出了压强与体积、体弹性模量与体积的 关系曲线;讨论了各相在不同范围内的稳定性;估算了α→ε相之间的转变压强;并把得到 的结果与实验进行了比较,证明所得到的结果与实验是一致的. 关键词： FP-LMTO Bain转变     

Recent progress in the theory of itinerant electron magnetism

A review is given of recent theoretical investigations toward unified understanding of magnetism in narrow-band electron systems. It is emphasized that the classical controversy between the itinerant and localized models have been resolved into a more general and well-defined problem of spin density fluctuations in a general sense. The local moment picture is a limiting form of general spin fluctuations; and in its opposite limit we have weakly ferro- and antiferromagnetic metals. As an approach from the latter limit, the self-consistent renormalization theory of spin fluctuations is shown to have been quite successful in explaining and predicting a number of qualitatively new physical properties of this class of materials. More recent theoretical studies of spin fluctuations from a general point of view interpolating between the above-mentioned two limits seem to lead to a unified picture of magnetism in narrow-band electron systems including 3d transition metals and magnetic compounds.     

Magnetic properties of Cr-Fe-Mn alloys

The magnetic behaviour of a Cr_80−xFe₂₀Mn_x alloy system with x=2, 7, 10, 13 and 22 has been investigated in the temperature range 2-400 K through measurements of magnetization, electrical resistivity, magnetoresistivity, specific heat and thermal expansion. The temperature vs. Mn concentration magnetic phase diagram of the system is rich in magnetic behaviour with ferromagnetic (FM), antiferromagnetic (AFM) and paramagnetic phase regions and a spin-glass (SG) region at the lowest temperatures. Phase transition temperatures amongst these different magnetic phases could be identified from well-defined anomalies of magnetic origin that are displayed by graphs of the above-mentioned physical properties as a function of temperature. The time relaxation of the thermoremanent, isothermal remanent and field-cooled magnetizations below and above the SG freezing temperature show unusual aspects. These relaxations do not follow the usual superposition principle that is expected for typical SG materials. Negative giant magetoresistance (GMR) is observed in the alloys at 4 K. The GMR initially increases sharply on increasing the Mn content in the alloy system, followed by a tendency towards a saturation negative value for concentrations of more than about 10 at% Mn. Low-temperature plots of C_p/T vs. T², where C_p is the specific heat, present anomalous behaviour for alloys with x=2, 10 and 22. For x=2 the plot shows an upturn at the lowest temperatures that changes over to a prominent downturn for x=10 and 22. This behaviour is attributed to Fe concentration fluctuations in the alloys, confirming the theoretical model of Matthews.     

Spin-glass ordering in amorphous Tb-Cr alloys

This paper discusses amorphous TbxCr_100−x alloys (x=16, 28.5, 43, and 59 at.%) obtained by quenching from the vapor phase. It is found that the structure of the alloys is heterogeneous: the coexistence of two amorphous phases, characterized by different short-range order, is observed. The short-range order of these phases qualitatively corresponds to the structure of pure components (Cr or Tb). In the low-temperature region, the alloys transform to the spin-glass state. It is established that the transition temperatures to the spin-glass state depends on the composition linearly, increasing as the terbium concentration increases. It is shown that the magnetic properties of amorphous Tb-Cr alloys are determined by the random magnetic anisotropy associated with the Tb atoms. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1236–1239 (July 1999)     

The phase diagrams of Ni–Mn–Ga alloys in the magnetic field

With the help of the Ginzburg–Landau theory the temperature–magnetic field phase diagrams of Heusler alloys Ni–Mn–Ga are theoretically investigated. The influence of the parameters of the magnetoelastic constants and elastic moduli on the phase diagrams are discussed. It is shown that with the determined combination of the phenomenological parameters, the critical magnetic field for the phase transition appears. The theoretically predicted value of the critical magnetic field is possible to be achieved in the experiment with the help of modern magnetic field sources.     

Quantum mechanically guided design of Co43Fe20Ta(5.5)X(31.5) (X=B, Si, P, S) metallic glasses

A systematic ab initio molecular dynamics study was carried out to identify valence electron concentration and size induced changes on structure, elastic and magnetic properties for Co(43)Fe(20)Ta(5.5)X(31.5) (X=B, Si, P, S). Short range order, charge transfer and the bonding nature are analyzed by means of density of states, Bader decomposition and pair distribution function analysis. A clear trend of a decrease in density and bulk modulus as well as a weaker cohesion was observed as the valence electron concentration is increased by replacing B with Si and further with P and S. These changes may be understood based on increased interatomic distances, variations in coordination numbers and the electronic structure changes; as the valence electron concentration of X is increased the X bonding becomes more ionic, which disrupts the overall metallic interactions, leading to lower cohesion and stiffness. The highest magnetic moments for the transition metals are identified for X=S, despite the fact that the presence of X generally reduces the magnetic moment of Co. Furthermore, this study reveals an extended diagonal relationship between B and P within these amorphous alloys. Based on quantum mechanical data we identify composition induced changes in short range order, charge transfer and bonding nature and link them to density, elasticity and magnetism. The interplay between transition metal d band filling and s-d hybridization was identified to be a key materials design criterion.     

Die magnetische Suszeptibilität flüssiger Übergangsmetallegierungen

Investigations on the magnetic susceptibility of alloys of the transition metals Fe, Co and Ni with the normal metals Au, (Cu), Zn, Ga and Ge were performed in the liquid state over the whole concentration range. These alloys show complicated phase diagrams, so that in the solid state a systematic investigation over the whole concentration range is not possible. The results are discussed with the existing models for the transition metal rich side and for impurities of transition metal in normal metals. A connection between the susceptibility and the density of states has been found, which allows to explain the behaviour of the susceptibility over the whole concentration range. The measurements of the susceptibility give some information about shape and position of the density of states on alloying.     

Phenomenological analysis of thermal hysteresis in Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler alloys

The manipulation of thermal hysteresis in Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler alloys with coupled magnetostructural phase transition is studied theoretically using the Landau theory, including magnetic, elastic and crystal lattice modulation order parameters as well as an external magnetic field. It is shown that for the assigned combination of phenomenological parameters, in the phase diagrams, the Austenite–Martensite first-order phase transition has a finite (critical) point in which the thermal hysteresis is disappeared. Moreover, this point depends on the relation between modulation and elastic constants as well as on the magnetic field. Obtained results have been compared with other theoretical end experimental data.     

Nanostructures, disordered ferromagnetism and spin glasses

Magnetic systems with a considerable amount of irregular interfaces were investigated by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Chemically homogeneous ferromagnets around the percolation threshold composition of disappearing magnetism and chemically heterogeneous alloys prepared by nanocrystallization of amorphous alloys belong to this class of materials. Low temperature and high field measurements were performed on nanocrystalline FeZrBCu alloys, on ball‐milled Fe with nano‐size grains and on melt‐quenched amorphous Fe–Zr and Fe–Y alloys in order to clarify the origin of large high‐field susceptibility and to investigate the common features of the approach to magnetic saturation. Curie point determination of the residual amorphous phase in the nanocrystalline FeZrBCu alloys, results on the structure of the nanocrystalline b.c.c. phase and of the interfacial region will be reported.     

Structural and magnetic phase formation in nanophase brass—iron electron compounds

Starting with Cu0.65Zn0.35 with an e/a ratio of 1.35 we studied the phase formation in nanophase (Cu_0.65Zn_0.35)_1?x Fe _x alloys in the concentration range 0.1 ≤x ≤0.7 to see the effect of altering the electron concentration. The evolution of bcc phase from the fcc phase as a function of Fe concentration was investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The grain size, lattice parameters, and average hyperfine magnetic field distributions were estimated for the nanophase alloys. The fcc phase was observed to persist up to 40 atomic per cent Fe substitutions, a mixed (fcc + bcc) phase region up to 70 atomic per cent Fe and bcc phase beyond 70 atomic per cent Fe. The magnetic state of the alloys changed from nonmagnetic forx ≤0.3 to magnetically ordered state at room temperature forx ≤0.33, which lies in the fcc phase region. The fcc phase alloys of Fe with non-magnetic metals have very low magnetic transition temperatures. However, in this system the room temperature state is unusually magnetic     

Phase diagrams of spin-1 Ising model with bilinear and quadrupolar interactions under magnetic field. Two-particle cluster approximation

The spin-1 Ising model with bilinear and quadrupolar short-range interactions under magnetic field is investigated within the two-particle cluster approximation. It is shown that for those values of the quadrupolar interaction when at zero magnetic field the system undergoes a temperature phase transition between quadrupolar and paramagnetic phases, a triple point may exist in the temperature vs. magnetic field phase diagrams, necessarily along with a critical point. It is also shown that the critical points in the temperature vs. magnetic field phase diagrams of the investigated model can be of three types.     

The influence of magnetoelastic interaction on structural phase transitions in cubic ferromagnetics

In the framework of the Landau theory of phase transitions, the influence of the magnetoelastic interaction on structural transitions in cubic ferromagnetics with a positive first magnetic anisotropy constant is analyzed. It is shown that structural transitions are not accompanied by a reorientation of magnetization in this case. The phase diagrams of such ferromagnetics either contain a termination point of the structural transition or a critical point in which the first-order transition is replaced by a second-order one. Magnetoelastic interaction also leads to the appearance of an interval of the ferromagnetic parameters in which a coupled first-order structural-magnetic transition exists. The phase T?x diagram for Heusler Ni_2+x Mn_1?x Ga alloys is calculated, which is in good agreement with the experimental phase diagram of these alloys.     

Bulk and surface properties of liquid X-Zr (X=Ag, Cu) compound forming alloys

The phase diagrams of the Ag-Zr and Cu-Zr systems exhibit the existence of different intermetallic compounds in the solid state, and since the structure of a liquid alloy is in some respects similar to that of a crystal, the compound formation phenomenon in these liquid alloy systems has been analysed through the study of surface properties (surface tension and surface composition), dynamic properties (chemical diffusion and viscosity) and microscopic functions (concentration fluctuations in the long-wavelength limit and chemical short-range order parameter) in the frame of the compound formation model (CFM). Moreover, the associative tendency between unlike constituent elements qualitatively expressed by the microscopic functions indicates the glass-forming ability of both systems at higher Zr-concentrations. These results are in agreement with reported experimental data and confirm the applicability of a statistical mechanical theory in conjunction with the CFM to describe the mixing behaviour of compound forming alloys.     

The structure and magnetic properties of amorphous magnetic thin films

A review of the structural and magnetic properties of amorphous ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic thin films is presented. An attempt is made to report structural information on atomic and microstructural scales, and to stress its relevance to the magnetic properties of these materials. The more obvious microstructural features of deposited films are not present in the other important type of amorphous magnetic material prepared by rapid quenching from the melt, and present opportunities for differences in structure dependent magnetic properties. In the main, three classes of amorphous magnetic films are considered. Ferromagnetic transition metal (TM) films which are metastable only at temperatures well below room temperature are discussed. Their importance lies in the fact that they clearly represent the most fundamental amorphous phase. Ferromagnetic transition metal-metalloid (TM-Me) alloys have potential applications as magnetically soft materials. These alloys are, perhaps, the most studied amorphous magnetic materials both in deposited thin film and rapidly quenched ribbon forms. Finally, amorphous rare earth-transition metal (RE-TM) films are reviewed. They exhibit a wide variety of magnetic properties encompassing both extremely low and very high coercivities and also perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The possible application of these materials in various types of device has encouraged much detailed research into their magnetic properties. This has highlighted the importance of preparation conditions and microstructure in defining their properties.     

Short range order in amorphous FeGe alloys

The short range order in Fe_xGe_1-x amorphous alloys is analysed by use of electron diffraction diagrams. It is shown that the number of nearest neighbours increases from a value of 4 when x equals zero to a value of 9 for x ≥ 0.47. It is suggested that hybridization between the sp states of germanium and the d states of iron plays an important role in stabilizing the high coordination amorphous phase found in the alloys with high content of iron.