Magnetic properties and martensitic transformation in quaternary Heusler alloy of NiMnFeGa

Quaternary Heusler alloy Ni-2(Mn,Fe)Ga has been studied systematically for the structure, martensitic transformation, and magnetic properties in two systems of Ni50.5Mn25-xFexGa24.5 and Ni50.4Mn28-xFexGa21.6. Substituting Fe for Mn up to about 70%, the pure L2(1) phase and the thermoelastic martensitic transformation still can be observed in these quaternary systems. Iron doping dropped the martensitic transformation temperature from 220 to 140 K, increased the Curie temperature from 351 to 429 K, and broadened the thermal hysteresis from about 7 to 18 K. Magnetic analysis revealed that Fe atoms contribute to the net magnetization of the material with a moment lower than that of Mn. The temperature dependence of magnetic-field-induced strains has been improved by this doping method. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.