Heterogeneous magnetism and kinetic arrest in antiperovskite Mn3-xNixGaC compounds with Ni2MnGa Heusler insertions


ÇAKIR Ö., Dias E., Priolkar K. R., Hoser A., Farle M., Acet M.

PHYSICAL REVIEW B, vol.102, no.2, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 102 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1103/physrevb.102.024431
  • Journal Name: PHYSICAL REVIEW B
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Compendex, INSPEC, zbMATH
  • Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Mn-based antiperovskite compounds in the form Mn(3)AX, where A is a main group element and X is C or N, undergo magnetostructural transitions with which these materials acquire magnetocaloric, giant magnetoresistance, and spin-transport properties, which can be modified or tailored by manipulating the compositions of numerous compounds. This enables closer investigations and better understandings of the underlying principles governing these properties. Mn3-xNixGaC, which is a derivative of the prototype Mn3GaC antiperovskite, would normally be expected to form a cubic structure with a homogeneous composition. Contrary to this, we find that the addition of Ni leads to a heterogenous compound consisting of an antiperovskite part and a Ni2MnGa Heusler insertions. The system shows kinetic arrest features, which we study as a function of Ni composition using the techniques of x-ray diffraction, magnetization, and neutron diffraction under a magnetic field.