K. Fukamichi

Large magnetocaloric effect in La(Fexsi1-x)13 itinerant-electron metamagnetic compounds

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) originated from the itinerant-electron metamagnetic transition for La(FexSi1−x)13 compounds has been investigated. With increasing Fe concentration, the MCE is enhanced and both the isothermal magnetic entropy change ΔSm and the adiabatic temperature change ΔTad for the compound with x=0.90 are −28 J/kg K and 8.1 K, respectively, by changing the magnetic field from 0 to 2 T. Similar large MCE values are achieved around room temperature by controlling the Curie temperature by means of hydrogen absorption. Consequently, La(FexSi1−x)13 compounds are promising as magnetic refrigerant materials working in relatively low magnetic fields.

Eigenfrequencies of vortex state excitations in magnetic submicron-size disks

We have theoretically and numerically studied the dynamic properties of the vortex magnetic state in soft submicron ferromagnetic dots with variable thickness and diameter. To describe the vortex translation mode eigenfrequencies, we applied the equation of motion for the vortex collective coordinates. We calculated the vortex restoring force with an explicit account of the magnetostatic interaction on the bases of the “rigid” vortex and two-vortices “side charges free” models. The latter model well explains the results of our micromagnetic numerical calculations. The translation mode eigenfrequency is inversely proportional to the vortex static initial susceptibility and lies in GHz range for submicron in-plane dot sizes.

Promising ferromagnetic Ni–Co–Al shape memory alloy system

A system of ferromagnetic β phase Ni–Co–Al alloys with an ordered B2 structure that exhibits the shape memory effect has been developed. The alloys of this system within the composition range Ni (30–45 at. %) Co–(27–32 at. %) Al, undergo a paramagnetic/ferromagnetic transition as well as a thermoelastic martensitic transformation from the β to the β′(L10) phase. The Curie and the martensitic start temperatures in the β phase can be controlled independently to fall within the range of 120–420 K. The specimens from some of the alloys undergoing martensitic transformation from ferromagnetic β phase to ferromagnetic β′ phase are accompanied by the shape memory effect. These ferromagnetic shape memory alloys hold great promise as new smart materials.

Magnetic and martensitic phase transitions in ferromagnetic Ni–Ga–Fe shape memory alloys

Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys with a body-centered-cubic ordered structure in a Ni–Ga–Fe system have been developed. The alloys with the composition range of Ni 27 at. % Ga (20–22 at. %)Fe exhibit a thermoelastic martensitic transformation from a B2 and/or an L21 parent to a martensite phase, with a seven-layer modulated (14M) and a five-layer modulated (10M) structure, in the ferromagnetic state. The parent phase transforms from the B2 to the L21 structure at about 970 K during cooling, and the degree of the L21 order in the parent phase is increased by annealing at 773 K, resulting in the increase of both the martensite starting and the Curie temperatures. The ductility of these alloys is improved by introducing of a small amount of a γ-phase solid solution. Consequently, we can conclude that the present alloys are promising for ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.

Itinerant electron metamagnetic transition in La(FexSi1−x)13 intermetallic compounds

A first-order transition above the Curie temperature for ferromagnetic La(FexSi1−x)13 (x=0.86 and 0.88) compounds has been confirmed by applying a magnetic field. The magnetic state changes from the paramagnetic to the ferromagnetic state and the transition field increases with temperature, indicating an itinerant electron metamagnetic (IEM) transition. The IEM transition is broad in x=0.86 and becomes clearer in x=0.88, which takes a negative slope of the Arrott plot. The volume change just above the Curie temperature for x=0.88 is huge, about 1.5%, which is caused by a large magnetic moment induced by the IEM transition.

Magnetic properties and large magnetic-field-induced strains in off-stoichiometric Ni–Mn–Al Heusler alloys

Magnetic properties and magnetic-field-induced strains (MFIS) have been investigated for off-stoichiometric Ni–Mn–Al Heusler alloys with an ordered L21 structure. A clear martensitic transformation in Ni53Mn25Al22 alloy was revealed below the Curie temperature. In the polycrystalline specimen, an irreversible relative change due to the MFIS was confirmed between the martensite start and finish temperatures Ms and Mf, and a maximum relative length change ΔL/L|7T of about −100 ppm was observed at just above Mf. On the other hand, a large irreversible relative length change of about 1000 ppm has been demonstrated in the magnetic field of 7 T for a single crystal cut from the polycrystalline specimen. A delay of the response of strains against the magnetic field was also confirmed.

Invar-type new ferromagnetic amorphous Fe-B alloys

Abstract Measurements of magnetization, electrical resistivity, thermal expansion and differential thermal change were made on amorphous Fe 100- x B x (9 ≦ X ≦ 21) alloys prepared by rapid quenching from the liquid state. With decreasing boron content in the alloys, the Curie temperature falls remarkably, while the magnetic moment increases sluggishly. The thermal expansion curves exhibit the invar characteristics below the Curie temperature due to a large positive spontaneous volume magnetostriction, and the reduced magnetization curves decrease much more rapidly with increasing temperature than those of other ferromagnetic amorphous alloys.

Field evolution of magnetic vortex state in ferromagnetic disks

The evolution of a magnetic “vortex” state in submicron ferromagnetic disks has been studied as functions of disk diameter and thickness. The vortex core displacement in the applied magnetic field was calculated by minimizing the total magnetic energy consisting of the magnetostatic, exchange, and Zeeman energies. A simple analytical expression for the initial magnetic susceptibility is deduced. The initial susceptibility increases with increasing disk diameter and decreasing thickness. The calculations agree well with the experimental data obtained for the 60 nm thick permalloy disk arrays with a variable diameter from 0.2 to 0.8 μm.

Ferromagnetic‐spin glass transition in Fe‐Zr amorphous alloy system

Several kinds of Fe‐Zr amorphous ribbons have been prepared from the melt in an argon atmosphere, and the spin‐glass‐like behaviors have been investigated. The thermomagnetic history has been observed, and the freezing temperature monotonously decreases, in contrast to the Curie temperature, which increases and then goes through a maximum with increasing Zr content. Asymmetric hysteresis loops and the relaxation of remanence have also been found. The coercive force of Fe92Zr8 amorphous alloy drastically increases below 30 K, and the high‐field susceptibility of the present alloys are extremely large. These behaviors are explained in terms of the coexistence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic states.

Giant isotropic magnetostriction of itinerant-electron metamagnetic La(Fe0.88Si0.12)13Hy compounds

La(FexSi1−x)13 compounds exhibit an itinerant-electron metamagnetic (IEM) transition above Curie temperature TC. The IEM transition in the compound with x=0.88 is accompanied by a giant volume change. From a practical viewpoint, TC was controlled by hydrogen absorption in order to obtain such a giant volume magnetostriction at room temperature. For the La(Fe0.88Si0.12)13H1.0 compound, the IEM transition occurs above TC=278 K, and a significant isotropic linear magnetostriction of about 0.3% at 7 T is induced in the vicinity of room temperature. This large magnetostriction is attributed to the giant volume magnetostriction of about 1% by the IEM transition.