# Near-Compensated Ferrimagnetism in Disordered Co0.5Mn1.5Al Half-Heusler Alloy: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

## TL;DR

This paper studies the magnetic and electronic properties of a disordered Co0.5Mn1.5Al alloy, combining experiments and theory to assess its potential for spintronic applications.

## Contribution

The study reveals N-type ferrimagnetism and explores the effects of substitutional disorder on magnetic and transport properties in a half-Heusler alloy.

## Key findings

- The alloy exhibits N-type ferrimagnetism with a Curie temperature of 670 K.
- Substitutional disorder significantly affects magnetic and transport behaviors.
- Theoretical calculations align with experimental results, clarifying the role of disorder.

## Abstract

This study investigates the electronic, magnetic, and transport properties of the Co0.5Mn1.5Al half-Heusler alloy, a promising candidate for spintronic applications due to its potential half-metallic and ferrimagnetic characteristics. Experimental efforts focus on structural characterization using X-ray diffraction to examine substitutional disorder, such as Co/Mn site migration and Mn/Al site mixing, and their impacts on magnetic and transport properties. Magnetic characterization, including magnetization and susceptibility, reveals an N-type ferrimagnetic behaviour with a Curie temperature of 670 K. Transport experiments probe resistance and magnetoresistance across various temperatures and magnetic fields to uncover conduction mechanisms and spin-dependent effects. Theoretical band structure calculations, utilizing the Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker Green’s function method, investigate the electronic structure and the role of disorder in shaping magnetic and transport properties. This integrated experimental and theoretical approach aims to clarify the alloy’s suitability for applications in exchange bias or antiferromagnetic spintronics.