Microstructural and Magnetic Property Investigations into Antiferromagnetic Mn₂FeSi Heusler Alloy for Spintronics Applications

Abstract

Magnetic materials, possessing low magnetic moment and high spin-polarization capability, are much in demand for spintronics applications. In this work, a ternary Mn2FeSi Heusler alloy was prepared by vacuum arc remelting technique followed by annealing it in vacuum at 773 K for 120 h. The crystal structure, chemical composition, and magnetic properties of the alloy annealed at optimum conditions were studied and proved using relevant experimental techniques. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of the Heusler phase with a simple cubic structure with a = 5.63 Å in the alloy. This value matches well with that theoretically predicted. The chemical composition analysis of the sample shows that it is highly homogeneous and being closer to nominal. The Curie-Weiss equation was used to fit the thermomagnetic data and the paramagnetic Curie temperature (θP) calculated, point to the occurrence in the alloy of the antiferromagnetic ordering of spins at low temperature. The magnetic measurements of the alloy showed its antiferromagnetic transformation (TN) at 64.5 K. This study demonstrates that Mn2FeSi Heusler phase may be explored as a low magnetic moment material for spintronics applications.