Ferrimagnetism and antiferromagnetism in half-metallic Heusler alloys

TL;DR

This paper explores the magnetic properties of half-metallic Heusler alloys, focusing on ferrimagnetism and antiferromagnetism, which are promising for spintronic applications due to their lower external magnetic fields.

Contribution

It investigates the occurrence and potential engineering of ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic states in Heusler alloys for improved spintronic device performance.

Findings

Ferrimagnetism can occur in perfect Heusler compounds.

Defects can induce ferrimagnetism in ferromagnetic Heusler alloys.

Antiferromagnetic states are also achievable in these materials.

Abstract

Half-metallic Heusler alloys are among the most promising materials for future applications in spintronic devices. Although most Heusler alloys are ferromagnets, ferrimagnetic or antiferromagnetic (also called fully-compensated ferrimagnetic) alloys would be more desirable for applications due to the lower external fields. Ferrimagnetism can be either found in perfect Heusler compounds or achieved through the creation of defects in ferromagnetic Heusler alloys.