ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Finite size effects in nanostructured thin layers of shape memory alloys

Abstract: Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys can undergo reversible strain changes in external magnetic fields. Here we want to characterize NiMnGa alloys, which present brittle behavior during thermal cycling. One way for overcoming this issue is to elaborate bottom-to-top submicrometric thin layers by the PVD process. Additionally, thin layer structuring adds new finite size effects to these alloys. We plan to characterize two samples which have the same stoichiometry and film thickness (500 nm). The films are nanoscructured with crystallite sizes in the tens of nm-range. Magnetization measurements show that the austenitic to martensitic phase transition is shifted to lower temperatures compared to polycrystalline samples. With SANS we want to disentangle the interplay between the structural and magnetic properties of the thin film shape memory alloys and study their finite size effects.

Principal Investigator: Dr Philipp Bender
Experimenter: Mr Tai NGUYEN
Experimenter: Professor Andreas Michels
Experimenter: Dr Mathias Bersweiler
Local Contact: Dr Diego Alba Venero

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1910333

ISIS Experiment Number: RB1910333

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Philipp Bender et al; (2019): Finite size effects in nanostructured thin layers of shape memory alloys, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1910333

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.