Revealing the nature of magnetic phases in the semi-Heusler alloy Cu0.85Ni0.15MnSb

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic, magnetocaloric, and transport properties of Cu0.85Ni0.15MnSb, revealing coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic phases and their effects on phase transitions and magnetoresistance.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the magnetic phase coexistence and transitions in the semi-Heusler alloy Cu0.85Ni0.15MnSb, highlighting the complex magnetic behavior.

Findings

Coexistence of AFM and FM phases at low temperatures.

Broad magnetic phase transition observed.

Presence of short-range magnetic correlations at low temperatures.

Abstract

We report the magnetic, magnetocaloric, and magnetotransport properties of the semi-Heusler alloy Cu0.85Ni0.15MnSb, which exhibits coexistence of antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) phases. A broad magnetic phase transition is evident from the temperature variations of magnetization, heat capacity, and isothermal magnetic entropy change. This is due to the presence of both AFM and FM phases at low temperatures. The variation of electrical resistivity with temperature shows three distinct regions of magnetic phases. The magnetoresistance (MR) results also show the presence of AFM and FM phases at temperatures below 45 K, and a FM phase at temperature above 45K. Though there is no signature of a spin-glass state at low temperatures, various results point towards the presence of short-range magnetic correlations at low temperatures.