Fermi Surface as a Driver for the Shape-Memory Effect in AuZn

TL;DR

This paper identifies the electronic Fermi surface as a key factor driving the shape-memory effect in AuZn, highlighting the importance of electronic band structure in designing SME alloys.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that Fermi-surface measurements and band-structure calculations reveal the electronic mechanism behind the martensitic transition in AuZn.

Findings

Fermi surface influences martensitic transition in AuZn

Electronic band structure is crucial for SME properties

Fermi-surface measurements correlate with shape-memory behavior

Abstract

Martensites are materials that undergo diffusionless, solid-state transitions. The martensitic transition yields properties that depend on the history of the material and may allow it to recover its previous shape after plastic deformation. This is known as the shape-memory effect (SME). We have succeeded in identifying the primary electronic mechanism responsible for the martensitic transition in the shape-memory alloy AuZn by using Fermi-surface measurements (de Haas-van Alphen oscillations) and band-structure calculations. This strongly suggests that electronic band structure is an important consideration in the design of future SME alloys.