Mn2CrGa-based Heusler alloys with low net moment and high spin polarization. (29th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Wenyong; Jin, Yunlong; Skomski, Ralph; Kharel, Parashu; Li, Xingzhong; Chen, Tingyong; Zhao, Gejian; Kim, Dongrin; Valloppilly, Shah; Sellmyer, David J
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 51:Number 25(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-05-29
• Subjects: Heusler alloys -- ferrimagnetism -- magnetoresistance -- spin electronics; Physics -- Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/aac346
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3727

Abstract

Abstract: Mn2 CrGa-based Heusler compounds combining small magnetization with high spin polarization, fabricated by Fe and Pt substitution for Cr, are investigated experimentally and discussed in terms of sublattice site occupancies. X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction indicate that the parent alloy and Mn2 Cr0.6 Fe0.4 Ga are normal cubic Heusler alloys with substantial chemical disorder, whereas Mn2 Cr0.6 Pt0.4 Ga crystallizes in the tetragonal D022 structure. Magnetization measurements indicate that the spin structure of the parent alloy is essentially ferrimagnetic, but alloying with Fe or Pt reduces the net magnetization per formula unit from 0.40 µ B in the parent alloy to nearly zero in the Fe case. The Curie temperature, the magnetoresistance, and the Andreev-reflection transport-spin polarization are less affected by the substitutions, the last changing from 65% in Mn2 CrGa to 60% and 61% in the Fe- and Pt-substituted alloys, respectively. The properties of these alloys are favorable for spintronics applications.