Magnetic and crystallographic properties of Heusler alloy Ni2Mn1.48Sn0.52.

The results of experimental investigations of the crystal structure and magnetization of the magnetic shape memory alloy Ni 2 Mn 1.48 Sn 0.52 are reported. This alloy undergoes the martensitic transition from the cubic L 2 1 -type structure to the orthorhombic 4 O -type one with decreasing temperature. The Curie temperature T C A in the austenite phase is 310 K. The magnetic state just below the martensitic transition temperature T M is the low magnetization state or something like that. With further decrease of temperature, this alloy regains the ferromagnetism. The unit cell volume contracts discontinuously at T M with decreasing temperature. The percentage of the volume change was estimated to be ∼0.7%. The nearest neighbor Ni–Mn and Mn–Mn distances in both austenite and martensite phases of Ni 2 Mn 1.48 Sn 0.52 were estimated using the X-ray diffraction analysis. On the basis of the experimental results, the magnetic properties of Ni 2 Mn 1.48 Sn 0.52 are discussed. • The martensitic transition temperature TM of Ni2Mn1.48Sn0.52 is 308 K. • The unit cell volume change of Ni2Mn1.48Sn0.52 changes discontinuously at TM with the volume contraction of ∼0.7% with decreasing temperature. • The nearest neighbor Ni-Mn and Mn-Mn distances of Ni2Mn1.48Sn0.52 was estimated using the X-ray Rietveld analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]