Increasing Curie temperature in tetragonal Mn2RhSn Heusler compound through substitution of Rh by Co and Mn by Rh

The tetragonal Mn2RhSn Heusler compound shows better lattice match with MgO than do Mn3-xGa and tetragonal Mn3-xCoxGa Heusler compounds and hence is better suited for spin transfer torque applications. Beside the improved lattice match, this compound shows a low saturation magnetic moment reduces the current to switch which makes it more relevant for application in spin transfer torque devices. This compound shows a low Curie temperature; introducing Co into this system and increasing the Rh content leads to an increase in the Curie temperature. Doping with Co retains the tetragonal structure, with improved lattice match with MgO and low magnetic moment, intact up to x - 0.6, although doping with Rh changes the structure from tetragonal to cubic. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4791564]