Effect of carbon substitution on the specific heat of Fe80B20−xCx (0≤x≤8)

The specific heat of ferromagnetic metallic glasses Fe₈₀B_20?xC_x (0≤x≤8) has been measured in the temperature range between 1.5 and 10 K. It is found that the electronic specific heat coefficient is independent of the carbon concentration x. The Debye temperature has a broad peak around x = 4. Both these results are in sharp contrast to the case of FeB binary metallic glasses and could be qualitatively understood in terms of magnetic and structural properties.     

On the nature of high values of low-temperature heat capacity in the vicinity of critical concentration for ferromagnetism

The results of a study of low-temperature heat capacity of the Mn₂₀Fe_xNi_80?x, Fe₅₀Ni_50?xMn_x, Fe₆₅Ni_35?xCr_x, Cr₁₀Fe_xNi_0?xquasi-binary alloys are compared with the form of relevant magnetic phase diagrams. It is shown that the anomalously high values of a temperature-linear contribution to heat capacity in alloys, lying in the vicinity of a critical concentration of the change of the type of magnetic order, are determined by the presence of “cluster spin glass”.     

Magnetic moment and high-field susceptibility of amorphous FeB Invar-type alloys

The saturation magnetization and high-field susceptibility of amorphous Fe_100?xB_x (11 ? x ? 22) alloys have been measured at 4.2 K, 77 K and room temperature in magnetic fields up to 100 kOe. The concentration dependence of the saturation moment per iron atom shows a maximum around 14% boron, while the high-field susceptibility increases remarkably with decreasing boron content. The features are similar to those of crystalline FeNi Invar alloys.     

Stoner excitations in the strong itinerant amorphous ferromagnets FexNi80−xB18Si2 and Fe80B20

Accurate measurements of the static magnetization of the amorphous ferromagnets Fe_xNi_80?xB₁₈Si₂ (x = 15, 20, 40, 60%) and Fe₈₀B₂₀ are reported. The results are analyzed in terms of spin-wave and Stoner excitations, and the latter indicate strong itinerant ferromagnetism with a Stoner gap Δ varying between 20 and 60 K. The other fitting parameters give values of the spin-wave stiffness and a quantity simply related to the saturation magnetization. The well-known anomaly regarding the spin-wave stiffness observed in earlier measurements in thus explained quantitatively.     

Magnetocaloric and magnetoresistance properties in Co-based (Co0.402Fe0.201Ni0.067B0.227Si0.053Nb0.05)100−xCux (x=0–1) glassy alloys

The magnetocaloric and magnetoresistance properties of amorphous Co-based (Co_0.402Fe_0.201Ni_0.067B_0.227Si_0.053Nb_0.05)_100?xCu_x (x = 0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) ribbons were investigated. Cu additions changed the crystallisation temperature (T_x) and the Curie temperature (T_C). The saturation magnetisation (M_s) and coercivity (H_c) for alloys were in the range of 65.51–38.49 emu/g and 1.99–6.84 A/m, respectively. Under an applied magnetic field change of 2.2 T, the (?ΔS_M)^max for (Co_0.402Fe_0.201Ni_0.067B_0.227Si_0.053Nb_0.05)_100?xCu_x with x = 0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 are 0.77, 0.71, 0.89 and 0.67 Jkg^?1 K^?1, respectively. The values of refrigeration capacity (RC) for the as-spun glassy alloys are comparable with those of previously studied Fe-based metallic glasses such as Fe₈₀B₁₀Zr₉Cu₁, (Fe_0.76B_0.24)₉₆Nb₄ and Fe₈₂Ni₂Zr₆B₁₀. In addition, the maximum magnetoresistance (MR) values for (Co_0.402Fe_0.201Ni_0.067B_0.227Si_0.053Nb_0.05)_100?xCu_x with x = 0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 are found to be 110, 38, 23 and 1% around the Curie temperatures under an applied magnetic field change of 1 T, respectively. With good RC, negligible hysteresis due to very low coercivity values and large magnetoresistance, these Co-based amorphous alloys can be used as the high temperature magnetic refrigerants and multifunctional applications working in the temperature range of 450–600 K.     

Magnetic properties of metallic glasses of the type Fe80−x Pd x B20 and Fe80−x Pt x B20

Amorphous alloys of the type Fe_80???xPd_xB₂₀ and type Fe_80???xPt_xB₂₀ for 0?≤?x?≤?50 have been investigated by means of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetisation measurements in temperatures from 4.2 up to 300 K. Curie temperatures and crystallisation temperatures are found by DTMG-DTA method. Mössbauer spectroscopy magnetic field is observed to visible increase for x?=?1 and 1.5% at room temperature for Pd, while a decrease is observed for higher x values. Curie temperature for Pd alloys has a maximum at x?=?4 with T _C?=?753 K, which supports enforcing influence of Pd at low concentrations of Pd for magnetic interactions. We discuss different explanations for these measurements and compare with other findings for high Pd concentrations and alloys with Pt instead of Pd.     

Long period helimagnetism in the cubic B20 FexCo1−xSi and CoxMn1−x Si alloys

We report magnetization, resistivity and small angle neutron scattering experiments on cubic B20 Fe_xCo_1?x SI alloys (0.3 ? x ? 0.9) and Co_xMn_1?xSi allpys (x = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06). The magnetically ordered Fe_xCo_1?xSi alloys and the Co_xMn_1?xSi alloys with x = 0.02 and 0.04 are found to be helimagnetic with very long period. The low temperature resistivity of the magnetically ordered Fe_xCo_1?xSi alloys exhibits an anomalous positive magnetic contribution. The occurence of the Dzyalosyinsky-Moriya spin-orbit type interaction in these non-centrosymmetric alloys is given as a possible explanation of the helimagnetic order.     

Structure of α-FeSi alloys with 8 and 10 at % silicon

The atomic structure of single-crystal samples of Fe_{1 ? x} Si _x (x = 0.08, 0.10) alloys has been investigated using X-ray diffraction. It has been shown that the body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice of these alloys contain clusters with local ordering of the B2 type, which are characteristic of alloys with depleted composition (x = 0.05?0.06). The Fe₃Si phase with the D0₃ structure has been revealed at silicon concentrations x = 0.08 and 0.10. The volume fraction of Fe₃Si-phase regions increases both with an increase in the silicon concentration in the Fe_{1 ? x} Si _x alloy and during annealing of the samples with this silicon concentration at a temperature of 450°C. Based on the results obtained, it has been concluded that the anisotropic distribution of the B2 clusters, which arises as a result of thermomagnetic or thermomechanical treatment, is responsible for the induction and stability of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the Fe_{1 ? x} Si _x (x = 0.05?0.10) alloys.     

High field magnetization and57Fe hyperfine field in amorphous RuxFe80−xB20 alloys

Magnetism in amorphous alloys of Ru_xFe_80–xB₂₀, 0 × 22 has been investigated using high field magnetization and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The average Fe hyperfine field in Ru₁₈Fe₆₂B₂₀ shows an anomalous rise at low temperatures. In Ru rich alloys a low field component appears in the hyperfine field distribution and the alloys do not saturate magnetically in 80 kG fields. It is inferred that their magnetic structure is non collinear and that antiferromagnetic exchange in the system increases with Ru concentration.     

Structure,magnetic properties and magnetostriction of laves compounds Nd1−xPrx(Fe0.35Co0.55B0.1)2

The C15 Laves phases with composition Nd_1−xPr_x(Fe_0.35Co_0.55B_0.1)₂ (0?x?1) have been synthesized by arc melting and subsequent annealing. The Curie temperature T_c and the saturation magnetizations M_s at 5 and 295 K decrease with increasing Pr content. The linear anisotropic magnetostriction λ_a=λ_∥−λ_⊥ at room temperature for Nd_1−xPr_x(Fe_0.35Co_0.55B_0.1)₂ alloys with 0?x?0.4 initially reaches a negative minimum, then increases and changes its sign with increasing magnetic field H, and the λ_a for the alloys with x?0.6 is positive and increases as magnetic field H increases.     

Spin polarization of Fe-rich ferromagnetic compounds in Ru2−xFexCrSi Heusler alloys

We report spin polarization P of Ru_2−xFe_xCrSi Heusler alloys by the Andreev reflection technique. Ru_2−xFe_xCrSi with L2₁-type structure and saturation magnetic moment of per formula unit is theoretically predicted to be half-metals in the wide range of the composition x. We had clarified that the experimental results of saturation magnetic moment in Fe-rich compounds had coincided with the theoretical prediction. Therefore, we have measured the differential conductance of Ru_2−xFe_xCrSi/Pb planar-type junctions. The P value of Ru_2−xFe_xCrSi was determined by fitting the differential conductance with the modified Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk theory. We have found that the behavior of P for Ru_2−xFe_xCrSi was independent of the composition x in the Fe-rich region; P=0.53 for both of x=1.5 and 1.7. The spin polarization is the similar value to Co-based Heusler alloys.     

Mössbauer study of Fe1 + xV2−xO4 spinels for the determination of cation distributions and magnetic structure

Mössbauer experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 80–500 K on the spinel series of Fe_{1 + x}V_2?xO₄. The determined cation distribution has Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ at both A and B spinel sublattice sites for t whole series except for x = 0. Charge hopping was observed at the B lattice sites. The present cation distribution reasonably predicts several experimentally observed constants such as the lattice constant, the oxygen parameter, the saturation magnetic moment and the Curie constant. The magnetic structure in best agreement with the experimental values shows the AA spins to be antiparallel for Fe, the BB spins to be parallel for identical ions and antiparallel for different ions, and shows a strongly antiparallel AB interaction between trivalent iron ions. Crystal distortions due to the Jahn-Teller effect were observed at 80 K for compositions with 0 ? x ? 0.75.     

First-principle study of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of amorphous Fe-B alloys

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of amorphous Fe_100−xB_x alloys (x=9, 17, 25, 27.3, 33.3, 36.3) are investigated using first-principles calculations. In these amorphous alloys, the short-range order is manifested as a series of Fe- or B-centered polyhedra such as tricapped trigonal prism, icosahedron, and bcc-like structural unit. The electron densities of states of the amorphous alloys resemble those of crystalline Fe borides, which further confirm the similarity of the local order in the amorphous and crystalline phases. All B atoms carry small negative moments of about −0.1μ_B, while small negative moments are also found on very few Fe sites for the Fe-rich compositions (x=9, 17). The average magnetic moment per Fe atom decreases nonlinearly with increasing B composition, which can be associated with the nonlinear relationship between mass density and composition.     

Anomalous low temperature hysteresis properties of ferromagnetic metglasses

We report on measurements of hysteresis loops and initial permeability between room temperature and 1.6 K for the meglass systems Fe_{80 − x}B_x, Fe_{80 − x}Ni_xB₂₀, Fe_{80 − x}Mo_xB₂₀ and (Co₉₃Fe₇)_{75− x} Mo_xB₂₅. Above a temperature of typically 70 K the temperature dependence of the coercive force and the permeability can be well described by the conventional statistical potential theory for Bloch wall movements. At lower temperatures one observes definite deviations from the theoretical curves, which can be partially attributed to the blocking of minute crystalline ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic inclusions. In addition in all metglasses one observes an exponential temperature dependence of the permeability below typically 20 K which is suggestive of a thermal activation of the Bloch wall movements.     

Influence of hydrogen absorption on magnetic properties of Zr(Fe1−xVx)2 ternaries

Measurements of magnetization, susceptibility and Mössbauer effect were made on Zr(Fe_1?xV_x)₂ ternaries and their hydrides. Absorbed hydrogen leads to a large increase (20–30%) in volume without a change in the crystal structure. Ferromagnetism in the Fe-rich region is enhanced by hydrogen absorption, whereas hydrogenation leads to suppression of superconductivity in the V-rich range. The Fe moments in the Zr(Fe_1?xV_x)₂ hydrides are remarkably larger than those in the corresponding host compounds. The Fe moment in the β-ZrFe₂ hydride extrapolated reaches to 2.9μ_B, which exceeds the saturation value in bcc Fe. The hyperfine fields of ⁵⁷Fe in both Zr(Fe_0.8V_0.2)₂ and the hydride distribute widely, indicating that the Fe moments are very sensitive to the local environment arround the Fe atoms. Arguments are presented that it is possible to interprete the Fe moment increase by hydrogenation in terms of a decrease in occupancy of the 3d-band state due to electron transfers from Fe to hydrogen and/or vanadium.     

Mössbauer study of magnetic anisotropy and structural relaxation in amorphous Fe40Ni40P x B20−x alloys

The amorphous Fe₄₀Ni₄₀P _x B_20?x (x=0, 10, 12, 14, 17) alloys before and after annealing have been studied by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy, etc. Heat treatment of various samples were performed at 225, 250, 275, 300, 325 and 350°C, respectively, for 1 h in a quartz tube in an argon atmosphere. The results show that the magnetic anisotropy and structural relaxation in amorphous Fe₄₀Ni₄₀P _x B_20?x are related to the phosphorus element concentrations involved and the annealing temperatures. A possible mechanism of two-stage relaxation processes below the glass transition temperature is discussed.     

Near room temperature magnetocaloric properties of melt-spun Gd100−xBx (x=0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 at%) alloys

The magnetocaloric properties of melt-spun Gd-B alloys were examined with the aim to explore their potential application as magnetic refrigerants near room temperature. A series of Gd_100−xB_x (x=0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 at%) alloys were prepared by melt spinning. With the decrease in Gd/B ratio, Curie temperature (T_C) remains constant at ∼293 K, and saturation magnetization, at 275 K, decreases from ∼100 to ∼78 emu/g. Negligible magnetic hysteresis was observed in these alloys. The peak value of magnetic entropy change, (−ΔS_M)_max, decreased from ∼9.9 J/kg K (0-5 T) and ∼5.5 J/kg K (0-2 T) for melt-spun Gd to ∼7.7 J/kg K (0-5 T) and ∼4.0 J/kg K (0-2 T), respectively for melt-spun Gd₈₅B₁₅ and Gd₈₀B₂₀ alloys. Similarly, the refrigeration capacity (q) decreased monotonously from ∼430 J/kg (0-5 T) for melt-spun Gd to ∼330 J/kg (0-5 T) for melt-spun Gd₈₀B₂₀ alloy. The near room temperature magnetocaloric properties of melt-spun Gd_100−xB_x (0≤x≤20) alloys were found to be comparable to few first-order transition based magnetic refrigerants.     

Correlation between the atomic and electronic structure of metallic glasses

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and photoemission measurements were performed on meltquenched amorphous Fe(Zr, B) and (Fe, Ni)B alloys. The atomic and electronic structure of Fe₉₀Zr₁₀ and Fe₈₈B₁₂ glasses were found to be different. Half of the Zr content could be replaced by B in the Fe₉₀Zr₁₀ glass without changing its structure. Mossbauer investigation of the amorphous (Fe_1?xNi_x)_100?yB_y (0<=x<=0.80, 12<=y<=40) system indicates preferential arrangement of Fe and Ni atoms on the transition metal sites. According to the present XPS measurements there is a remarkable shift of 0.5 eV to higher binding energies of the B ls core level energy in the Ni rich glasses compared to Fe₈₈B₁₂ corresponding to a stronger binding between the Ni and the B atoms than that of Fe and B.     

Correlations between hyperfine parameters of Fe−Ni-B amorphous metals

The correlations between fluctuations in the⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer hyperfine parameters of the amorphous alloys (Fe_0.5Ni_0.5)_100?x B _x (x=16, 18, 20, 22 and 25 at%) and Fe_yNi_80?y B₂₀ (y=20, 25, 40 and 60 at%) have been determined. Values of the correlation between the fluctuations of the isomer shift and the fluctuations of magnetic hyperfine field, μ_N 〈ΔHΔδ〉 together with published values on similar amorphous systems are compared with correlation values for related crystalline phases. The lack of characteristic values suggests that the correlation values do not allow a link to be made between local structural units in amorphous alloy and crystalline phases.     

High-magnetic-field magnetization and magnetoresistance of some amorphous ferromagnets

Measurements of isothermal magnetization and magnetoresistance at T = 4.0-4.2 K and 15 ? H ? 132 kG on the amorphous ferromagnets Fe₈₀B₂₀, Fe₇₈Mo₂B₂₀, Fe₄₀Ni₄₀P₁₄B₆, and Fe₃₂Ni₃₆Cr₁₄P₁₂B₆ indicate a relatively large H-induced increase (3.6%) in the high-magnetic-field magnetization of the latter alloy, and marked differences in the magnitude and sign of the high-field magnetoresistance of the four alloys. The results are qualitatively interpreted in terms of internal effective field distributions which include a small fraction of atomic spins in negative field sites.