Magnetic properties and magnetostriction of PrxNd1-xFe1.9（0≤x≤1.0） alloys at low temperature

The crystal structure,magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of high-pressure synthesized Prx Nd1-xFe1.9(0≤x≤1.0) alloys were studied.The alloys exhibit single cubic Laves phase with MgCu 2-type structure.The initial magnetization curve reveals that Pr0.2Nd0.8Fe1.9 has a minimum magnetocrystalline anisotropy at 5 K.The magnetostriction curve at 5 K shows that Pr0.2Nd0.8Fe1.9 has a very good low-field magnetostrictive property,and the magnetostriction of the PrxNd1-xFe1.9 alloy in high magnetic field is attributable mainly to Pr.The temperature dependence of the magnetostriction(λ ||) at the field of 5 kOe shows that the substitution of Nd reduces the K 1 remarkably,and the values of λ|| of Pr0.2Nd0.8Fe1.9 and Pr0.8Nd0.2Fe1.9 alloys are nearly five times larger than that of the PrFe 1.9 alloy below 50 K;the λ|| of Pr0.8Nd0.2Fe1.9 reaches up to 1082 ppm at 100 K,which makes it a potential candidate for application in this temperature range.     

Relation between martensitic transformation temperature range and lattice distortion ratio of NiMnGaCoCu Heusler alloys

In order to study the relation between martensitic transformation temperature range AT （where AT is the difference between martensitic transformation start and finish temperature） and lattice distortion ratio （c/a） of martensitic transforma~ tion, a series of Ni46Mnz8_xGa22Co4Cux （x = 2-5） Heusler alloys is prepared by arc melting method. The vibration sample magnetometer （VSM） experiment results show that AT increases when x 〉 4 and decreases when x 〈 4 with x increasing, and the minimal AT （about 1 K） is found at x = 4. Ambient X-ray diffraction （XRD） results show that AT is proportional to c/a for non-modulated Ni46Mn28_xGa22Co4Cux （x = 2-5） martensites. The relation between AT and c/a is in agreement with the analysis result obtained from crystal lattice mismatch model. About 1000-ppm strain is found for the sample at x = 4 when heating temperature increases from 323 K to 324 K. These properties, which allow a modulation of AT and temperature-induced strain during martensitic transformation, suggest Ni46Mn24Ga22Co4Cu4 can be a promising actuator and sensor.     

Transformation behaviors,structural and magnetic characteristics of Ni-Mn-Ga films on MgO （001）

Ferromagnetic Ni-Mn-Ga films were fabricated by depositing on MgO （001） substrates at temperatures from 673 K to 923 K. Microstructure, crystal structure, martensitic transformation behavior, and magnetic properties of the films were studied. With increasing deposition temperature, the surface morphology of the films transforms from granular to continu- ous. The martensitic transformation temperature is not dependent on deposition temperature; while transformation behavior is affected substantially by deposition temperature. X-ray analysis reveals that the film deposited at 873 K has a 7M marten- site phase, and its magnetization curve provides a typical step-increase, indicating the occurrence of magnetically induced reorientation （MIR）. In situ magnetic domain structure observation on the film deposited at 873 K reflects that the marten- sitic transformation could be divided into two periods： nucleation and growth, in the form of stripe domains. The MIR occurs at the temperature at which martensitic transformation starts, and the switching field increases with the decrease of temperature due to damped thermal activation. The magnetically induced martensitic transformation is related to the difference of magnetization between martensite and austenite. A shift of martensite temperature of dT/dH = 0.43 K/T is observed, consistent with the theoretical value, 0.41 K/T.     

Evolution of magnetic domain structure of martensite in Ni–Mn–Ga films under the interplay of the temperature and magnetic field

Ferromagnetic shape memory Ni-Mn-Ga films with 7M modulated structure were prepared on MgO （001） substrates by magnetron sputtering. Magnetization process with a typical two-hysteresis loop indicates the occurrence of the reversible magnetic field-induced reorientation. Magnetic domain structure and twin structure of the film were controlled by the in- terplay of the magnetic and temperature field. With cooling under an out-of-plane magnetic field, the evolution of magnetic domain structure reveals that martensitic transformation could be divided into two periods： nucleation and growth. With an in-plane magnetic field applied to a thermomagnetic-treated film, the evolution of magnetic domain structure gives evidence of a reorientation of twin variants of martensite. A microstructural model is described to define the twin structure and to produce the magnetic domain structure at the beginning of martensitic transformation; based on this model, the relationship between the twin structure and the magnetic domain structure for the treated film under an in-plane field is also described.