The kinetic relation for twin wall motion in NiMnGa

A complete description of magnetically induced strains in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) requires knowledge of the constitutive equation describing twin wall motion, commonly referred to as the kinetic relation. Here we present a unique experimental setup that allows for direct measurement of individual twin wall velocities as a function of a magnetically induced driving force in a NiMnGa FSMA, i.e., the kinetic relation. Our results demonstrate the validity of a general kinetic law that is typical of a viscous interface motion in a periodic potential. Values of basic material properties that govern twin wall motion, such as the Peierls energy barrier and the crystal viscosity, are extracted, and a simple model suggests that the viscosity measured in NiMnGa represents the magnitude of this property in other non-ferromagnetic shape memory alloys. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.