Phase transitions in Heusler alloys with exchange inversion

Phase diagrams of the Heusler Ni–Mn–X (X=In, Sn, Sb) alloys with exchange inversion are investigated. It is shown that a few different types of the phase diagrams depending on the signs of phenomenological parameters of the Ginzburg–Landau functional are obtained. In the diagrams there are thermodynamic paths, which can explain the experimentally observed sequences of the phase transitions in Ni–Mn–X alloys.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Phase transitions in ferromagnetic Ni2+x Mn1−x Ga alloys with regard for the modulation order parameter

The phase diagram of ferromagnetic alloys Ni_2+x Mn_1?x Ga is reconstructed on the basis of temperature dependences of the resistance. It is seen from this diagram that for small x, structural transitions from the cubic to the tetragonal phase are preceded by structural transformations in the cubic phase. In the framework of the phenomenological Landau theory of phase transitions, phase diagrams of the structural and magnetic phase transitions in these alloys are analyzed with regard for the modulation order parameter. It is shown that premartensitic and postmartensitic phase transitions related to the appearance of the modulated structure can occur along with martensitic transformations. The strain and modulation order parameters substantially affect the magnetic phase transitions via the interaction with the magnetic order parameter.     

Interaction of the structural and magnetic subsystems in crystals upon severe plastic deformation by torsion

Interaction between the structural and magnetic subsystems of a crystal has been studied near phase transition lines. The consideration has been performed in terms of the Landau phenomenological theory. It has been shown that severe plastic deformation by torsion leads to a forced formation of a heterogeneous distribution in the magnetic subsystem. A nonsine space modulation of the magnitudes of the magnetic and structural parameters appears near the lines of the magnetic and structural phase transitions. An analysis of the obtained dependences has demonstrated a possibility of designing various distributions of the ferromagnetic vector in crystals under action of severe plastic deformation by torsion.     

Phase diagram of transitions from an isotropic phase to nematic and smectic (uniaxial,biaxial) phases in liquid crystals with achiral molecules

The phase diagrams of transitions from an isotropic phase to nematic and smectic phases are investigated within a simple phenomenological model of the Landau thermodynamic potential. The conditions of the isomorphic phase transition between two uniaxial smectic phases and the direct transition from the isotropic phase to the uniaxial and biaxial smectic phases are determined. The behavior of the order parameters is described along different thermodynamic paths. The theoretical results are discussed using the example of liquid-crystal phases in compounds with banana-shaped achiral molecules.     

Totally symmetric order parameter in the framework of the phenomenological theory of phase transitions: Ferroelastics

A new approach is proposed for constructing the phenomenological theory of phase transitions. The approach is based on the classical Landau theory with allowance made for the order parameter that corresponds to changes in the charge distribution probability density of a crystal and does not affect the symmetry of the high-symmetry phase. It is demonstrated that this approach makes it possible to describe phase transitions in terms of a nonequilibrium polynomial Landau potential of degree four in the components of the order parameters. The capabilities of the proposed approach are illustrated with three systems that undergo ferroelastic phase transitions.     

Interrelation of antiferrodistortive and ferroelectric phase transitions in Sr1−xAxTiO3 (A=Ba, Pb)

A dielectric and ultrasonic velocity study of antiferrodistortive and ferroelectric phase transitions in Sr_1−xA_xTiO₃ (A=Ba, Pb) is reported. It is shown that both phase transitions co-exist at x<0.03 but at the higher concentration the ferroelectric phase transition entirely suppresses the antiferrodistortive phase transition. The experimentally obtained phase diagrams are discussed in the framework of the Landau phenomenological theory.     

External magnetic field-dependent tricritical points of uniaxial-to-biaxial nematic transition

External magnetic field-dependent behavior of tricritical points of uniaxial–biaxial nematic phase transition in a mixture of prolate and oblate molecules has been studied using the Landau phenomenological theory. Topological classification of phase diagrams in the field-temperature coordinates is performed using a sixth-order term in order parameter tensor. For both prolate and oblate molecules, the tricritical order parameters corresponding to the uniaxial–biaxial increase with the intensity of the external magnetic field. Field-induced paranematic phase has only been reported for prolate molecules, but for oblate molecules, field-induced splitting of the order parameter has been reported.     

Landau theory of magnetic phase diagrams and first order magnetisation processes

The Landau free energy expansion up to sixth order in the magnetisation has been used to study ferro- and paramagnetic phases in zero and finite applied magnetic fields. Magnetic phase diagrams are determined in terms of Landau coefficient ratios which indicate first order and metamagnetic phase transitions. In addition the critical magnetic field and specific magnetisations corresponding to first order magnetisation processes are calculated in terms of these coefficients. A method of evaluating Landau coefficients is also demonstrated.     

Magnetic shape memory and giant magnetocaloric effect in Heusler alloys

The results of theoretical and experimental investigations of the phase transitions in ferromagnetic Heusler alloys with a thermoelastic martensitic transition are briefly discussed.     

Theory of the isostructural extension-contraction phase transition in proper ferroelastics

Using the phenomenological Landau theory of phase transitions, a diagram of states and anomalies of physical characteristics are investigated in the area of conditions corresponding to isostructural transitions in a high-symmetric phase. A cubic phase with a two-component order parameter describing the ferroelastic extension-compression transition is considered as an example.     

Crystal geometry and phenomenological models of reconstructive phase transitions

The basic concepts of the phenomenological theory of reconstructive phase transitions are presented. The nonlinear order parameter concept is introduced and the connection between the classical form of the Landau theory and a density wave approach to phase transitions is given. This new phenomenological approach is applied both to standard examples of reconstructive phase transformations (BCC-HCP, BCC-FCC, HCP-FCC, BCC-w) and to new problems like the formation of quasicrystals.     

Phase diagram of a thin film of the Fe<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> alloy with the “bulk” or “planar” magnetoelastic interaction

Concentration-induced reorientation phase transitions in thin magnetic films of FeCo alloys have been investigated taking into account “planar” or “bulk” magnetoelastic interaction. The critical concentrations of Co corresponding to the phase transition points, as well as the types of the phase transitions, have been determined. The phase diagrams have been plotted.     

The pseudopotential method and the thermodynamics of alloys

The authors review their work on the use of the pseudopotential method in the thermodynamics of alloys. Treatment of the theory of phase equilibria in alloys on the basis of the pseudopotential method makes it possible to use first principles in order to set up a thermodynamics of alloys in which the energy parameters are not presumed to be phenomenological but are calculated from the electronic characteristics of the pure components. The approach developed allows a priori calculation of the phase diagrams of alloys, the effect of cubic compression on phase diagrams, and the various thermodynamic functions of alloys. A classification of phases in alloys on the basis of analysis of their thermodynamic characteristics is proposed.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 8, pp. 22–39, August, 1976.     

Heusler合金Li2AlX(X=Ga，In)的晶格动力学和电子特性

本文计算了Heusler合金Li₂AlGa和Li₂AlIn的晶格参数、体积模量、体积模量的一阶导数、 电子能带结构、声子色散曲线和声子态密度,并与密度泛函理论中的广义梯度近似计算结果进行比较. 计算的晶格参数与文献有很好的一致性. 两个Heusler合金的电子能带结构表明它们是半金属结构. 并利用声子色散曲线和声子密度图研究Heusler合金晶格动力学. Li₂AlGa和Li₂AlIn Heusler合金在基态呈现动力学稳定.     

On Inhomogeneous Polarized States near the Phase Transition Point in a Thin Ferroelectric Film

It is shown in terms of the phenomenological Landau theory of phase transitions that a phase transition to an inhomogeneous polar phase preceding in temperature a phase transition to a homogeneous polar state is possible. As a result of solving a boundary eigenvalue problem for the polarization equilibrium equation and electrostatics equations, wave vector k_⊥ characterizing the inhomogeneous phase has been determined and the temperature boundaries of its existence in the dependence on the film thickness and its surface properties have been found.     

Linear–quadratic order parameter coupling and multiferroic phase transitions

The coupling between order parameters in systems with several instabilities has been analysed within Landau theory. The dominant term considered in this paper is linear in one order parameter and quadratic in the second order parameter ~QP2; other coupling terms have been treated previously. Typical examples for Q are proper or pseudo-proper ferroelastic instabilities, while P might be octahedral tilting in a perovskite, (anti-)ferromagnetic ordering or (anti-)ferroelectric soft modes. Coupling of this type is common in fluorites, Verwey transitions, Jahn-Teller systems, pnictide superconductors, etc. Analytical solutions and characteristic phase diagrams of the stable configurations are compiled. The coupling can lead to stepwise phase transitions even when the uncoupled systems would show continuous transitions. Mixed phases are common, so that many 'intermediate phases' described in the literature may be the result of this linear-quadratic coupling.     

Exchange bias in a bilayer ferromagnet-antiferromagnet system with close phase transition temperatures

The temperature dependence of the exchange bias in a bilayer ferromagnet-antiferromagnet system with an uncompensated surface has been calculated within the phenomenological Landau theory of phase transitions for the case where the Néel temperature of the antiferromagnet is close to and higher than the Curie temperature of the ferromagnet.