Electronic aspects of the martensitic transition in Ni-Mn based Heusler alloys

The martensitic transformation temperature Ms depends linearly on the valence electron concentration for Ni-Mn-X Heusler systems where X is a group III-group V element. However, the slopes of the linearity are different for alloys with different X species and increases either as X changes from Al to In (isoelectronic) or from In to Sb (increase in number of p electrons). We discuss the features in the M-s vs e/a diagram and the relative stability of the various crystallographic phases of Ni-Mn based Heusler alloys. (C) 2006 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.