Hysteresis and unusual magnetic properties in the singular Heusler alloy Ni45Co5Mn40Sn10

The alloy Ni45Co5Mn40Sn10 is shown to be singular relative to nearby alloys in three following ways: (1) The austenite has remarkably high magnetization (1170 emu/cm(3)) and low magnetic anisotropy. (2) The thermal hysteresis is near minimum. (3) The transformation temperature similar to 135 degrees C is unusually high. Because the unusually large magnetization and low hysteresis is seen at relatively small applied fields, applications such as magnetic shape memory, energy conversion, and solid state refrigeration may become practical. (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3456562]