Twinning in ferromagnetic Heusler Rh2MnSb epitaxial thin films

TL;DR

This study reports the first successful epitaxial growth and comprehensive characterization of Rh2MnSb full Heusler alloy thin films, revealing their structural, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties, with potential for spintronic applications.

Contribution

First demonstration of epitaxial Rh2MnSb thin films with detailed analysis of their structural and magnetic properties.

Findings

Films exhibit L21 ordering at 600°C

Tetragonal structure with twinning observed

Magnetic transition temperature around 220-275 K

Abstract

Epitaxially grown full Heusler alloy of Rh2MnSb thin films were prepared for the first time using DC magnetron sputtering. The films were deposited on MgO [001] substrates with a deposition temperature of 600{\deg}C, 700{\deg}C, and 800{\deg}C. We report the structural, morphological, optical, magneto-optical, and magnetic properties of the films with a 200 nm nominal thickness. The grown-at-600{\deg}C film was close to stoichiometric and exhibited L21 ordering typical for Heusler alloys. The single-phase Rh2MnSb film had a tetragonal structure with lattice parameters close to the bulk material. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the metallic character of the film free from contamination. The tetragonal films exhibited discernible regular twinning with the majority of twin domains with the c-axis perpendicular to the surface due to a substrate constraint. The twin formation was studied by atomic force and transmission electron microscopy and by X-ray diffraction. Magnetic measurements showed TC of about 220-275 K and saturation magnetization of about 55 emu/g, close to the bulk material. Magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements of the film prepared at 600 {\deg}C affirmed paramagnetic behavior at room temperature and suggested the half-metallic behavior. The observed properties highlight the potential for further investigations of Rh2MnSb's thin films, focusing on compositional and structural control.