Heterogeneous magnetism and kinetic arrest in antiperovskite Mn3-xNixGaC compounds with Ni2MnGa Heusler insertions
PHYSICAL REVIEW B, vol.102, no.2, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- 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.