P D Babu | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Disorder-driven competing magnetic interactions and glassy magnetic behavior in quaternary Heusler alloy FeRuMnGe

In this combined experimental and theoretical study, we investigate the role of disorder in governing the magnetic ground state of the quaternary Heusler alloy FeRuMnGe. In the FeRuMnZ (Z = Ga, Si) series, chemical substitution modifies atomic ordering and electronic structure, resulting in distinct magnetic ground states. Motivated by this, we extend the series to FeRuMnGe. X-ray diffraction reveals B2-type antisite disorder, where Fe--Ru and Mn--Ge intermix. Theoretical calculations show that such disorder modifies exchange interactions, leading to competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic couplings, and drives the system from half-metallic to metallic. Magnetic measurements reveal competing interactions, giving rise to a cluster-glass state coexisting with long-range magnetic order. The absence of a thermodynamic signature at $T_f$, together with ac susceptibility and relaxation measurements, supports the presence of short-range magnetic interactions and a glassy magnetic state. The compound exhibits an enhanced magnetic response below $\sim 161$ K and a maximum magnetization of $\sim 1.64~μ_B$/f.u. at 5 T. Overall, this work establishes a direct correlation between antisite disorder, competing exchange interactions, and glassy magnetism in quaternary Heusler alloys. Combined experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that disorder drives the system from an AFM-dominated state in FeRuMnSi to an FM-dominated state in FeRuMnGe, providing deeper insight into the role of the extent of disorder in governing the magnetic properties of QHAs.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Neutron diffraction and ab initio studies on the fully compensated ferrimagnetic characteristics of Mn2V1-xCoxGa Heusler alloys

Neutron diffraction and ab initio studies were carried out on Mn2V1-xCoxGa (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) Heusler alloys which exhibits high TC fully compensated ferrimagnetic characteristic for x=0.5. A combined analysis of neutron diffraction and ab initio calculations revealed the crystal structure and magnetic configuration which could not be determined from the X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. As reported earlier, Rietveld refinement of neutron diffraction data confirmed L21 structure for Mn2VGa and Xa structure for Mn2CoGa. The alloys with x=0.25 and 0.5 possess L21 structure with Mn(C)-Co disorder. As the Co concentration reaches 0.75, a structural transition has been observed from disordered L21 to disordered Xa. Detailed ab initio studies also confirmed this structural transition. The reason for the magnetic moment compensation in Mn2(V1-xCox)Ga was identified to be different from that of the earlier reported fully compensated ferrimagnet (MnCo)VGa. With the help of neutron diffraction and ab initio studies, it is identified that the disordered L21 structure with antiparallel coupling between the ferromagnetically aligned magnetic moments of (Mn(A)-Mn(C)) and (V-Co) atom pairs enables the compensation in Mn2V1-xCoxGa.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗