Tobias Eichhorn

Recent Progress in FSMA Microactuator Developments

The giant magneto-strain effect is particularly attractive for actuator applications in micro- and nanometer dimensions as it enables contact-less control of large deformations, which can hardly be achieved by other actuation principles in small space. Two different approaches are being pursued to develop ferromagnetic shape memory (FSMA) microactuators based on the magnetically induced reorientation of martensite variants: (1) the fabrication of free-standing epitaxial Ni-Mn-Ga thin film actuators in a bottom-up manner by magnetron sputtering, substrate release and integration technologies and (2) the top-down approach of thickness reduction of bulk Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals to foil specimens of decreasing thicknesses (200 – 40 μm) and subsequent integration. This review describes the fabrication technologies, procedures for thermo-mechanical training adapted to the quasi-two-dimensional geometries of film and foil specimens as well as the performance characteristics of state-of-the art actuators after processing and training.

Growth and magnetic control of twinning structure in thin films of Heusler shape memory compound Ni2MnGa

Twin structure engineering in sputtered films close to the Heusler stoichiometry Ni2MnGa (001) is used to demonstrate temperature and magnetic control of the phase transformation behavior. A custom heating apparatus integrated with a commercial microscope allows the observation of the austenite-martensite transition in epitaxially clamped films. Intermartensitic twin boundaries on cantilevers released from the epitaxial strain by focused ion beam etching are shown to move in response to an applied magnetic field with a strength of 0.6 T. We also report the observation of two coexisting twin morphologies.

Microstructure of freestanding single-crystalline Ni2MnGa thin films

Diffusionless phase transitions are at the core of the multifunctionality of (magnetic) shape memory alloys, ferroelectrics and multiferroics. Giant strain effects under external fields are obtained in low symmetric modulated martensitic phases. We outline the origin of modulated phases, their connection with tetragonal martensite and consequences for their functional properties by analysing the martensitic microstructure of epitaxial Ni-Mn-Ga films from the atomic to macroscale. Geometrical constraints at an austenite-martensite phase boundary act down to the atomic scale. Hence a martensitic microstructure of nanotwinned tetragonal martensite can form. Coarsening of twin variants can reduce twin boundary energy, a process we could observe from the atomic to the millimetre scale. Coarsening is a fractal process, proceeding in discrete steps by doubling twin periodicity. The collective defect energy results in a substantial hysteresis, which allows retaining modulated martensite as a metastable phase at room temperature. In this metastable state elastic energy is released by the formation of a ‘twins within twins’ microstructure which can be observed from the nanometre to millimetre scale. This hierarchical twinning results in mesoscopic twin boundaries. Our analysis indicates that mesoscopic boundaries are broad and diffuse, in contrast to the common atomically sharp twin boundaries of tetragonal martensite. We suggest that observed extraordinarily high mobility of such mesoscopic twin boundaries originates from their diffuse nature which renders pinning by atomistic point defects ineffective. New J. of Physics (2011), accepted

Compositional dependence of element-specific magnetic moments in Ni2MnGa films

Element-specific magnetic moments were investigated for epitaxial Ni2Mn1+xGa1−x and (Ni2MnGa)1−x(Co2FeSi)x Heusler films using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray circular magnetic dichroism in transmission. The epitaxial films of the Ni2MnGa-derived compositions were prepared by dc-sputtering on Al2O3 substrates at 773 K. X-ray diffraction confirms a (1 1 0) oriented growth. An increase in the Mn concentration reduces the magnetic spin moment of both Mn and Ni. An increase in the content of Co2FeSi in the Ni2MnGa compound leads to an increase in the Mn and Ni spin moments and to a decrease in Tm for 5% Co2FeSi and finally to a suppression of the phase transition for 20% Co2FeSi. The orbital moments of the stoichiometric Ni2MnGa films are larger compared with values obtained for films of a Mn-rich compound and smaller compared with Co2FeSi containing films. The results are discussed in the context of theoretical models.

Suppression of martensitic phase transition at the Ni2MnGa film surface

We investigated magnetic and structural properties at the surface of epitaxial Ni2MnGa(110) Heusler films using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism both in transmission and total electron yield mode. The magnetic shape memory films were prepared by dc sputtering from a stoichiometric target onto sapphire substrates at an optimized substrate temperature of 773K. X-ray diffraction confirms a (110) oriented growth on Al2O3(112¯0) and an austenite to martensite transition at 270–280K. At the surface the martensitic phase transition and the magnetization are strongly suppressed. The deviation in the surface properties is caused by a Mn deficiency near the surface.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Epitaxial Ni2MnGa Thin Films

We report on the preparation and investigation of epitaxial thin films of the magnetic shape memory alloy Ni2MnGa. For samples close to the stoichiometric composition we find that the phase transformation temperature is affected by the crystallographic orientation. Changes in the crystal structure due to the transformation are observed using temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction. Films with higher manganese content are in the martensitic state at room temperature. Those samples on Al2O3(11-20) reveal the 7-layered orthorhombic structure that allows strains up to 10 %. To avoid blocking of magnetostrictive effects by the substrate, free-standing films are prepared using water-soluble NaCl(100) single crystals as substrate.

Structural and magnetic dynamics in the magnetic shape-memory alloy Ni2MnGa

Magnetic shape-memory Heusler alloys are multiferroics stabilized by the correlations between electronic, magnetic, and structural order. To study these correlations we use time-resolved x-ray diffraction and magneto-optical Kerr effect experiments to measure the laser induced dynamics in a Heusler alloy Ni2MnGa film and reveal a set of time scales intrinsic to the system. We observe a coherent phonon which we identify as the amplitudon of the modulated structure and an ultrafast phase transition leading to a quenching of the incommensurate modulation within 300 fs with a recovery time of a few ps. The thermally driven martensitic transition to the high temperature cubic phase proceeds via nucleation within a few ps and domain growth limited by the speed of sound. The demagnetization time is 320 fs, which is comparable to the quenching of the structural modulation.

Solid state reaction at the interface between Heusler alloys and Al cap accelerated by elevated temperature and rough surface

We have investigated the solid state reaction at the interface of Co2Cr0.6Fe0.4Al, Co2FeSi, and Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy films and Al cap layers using x-ray absorption spectroscopy in transmission and total electron yield mode. At elevated temperatures and at rough surfaces the deposited Al severely reacts with the surface of a Heusler alloy indicated by changes of the absorption spectra. Microspectroscopy using photoemission electron microscopy reveals that the reaction proceeds inhomogeneously with reaction nuclei separated on a micron length scale.

Magnetic and Electronic Properties of Heusler Alloy Films Investigated by X-Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism

We have investigated the magnetic properties of epitaxial Heusler alloy films using x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism∈dex{x-ray!magnetic circular dichroism} (XMCD) in the transmission (TM) and in the surface sensitive total electron yield (TEY) mode. We have investigated Ni_2MnGa based shape memory alloys and half-metallic Co2Cro.6Feo.4 films. Single crystalline Ni2MnGa(110)/Al2O3(1120) and Ni2MnGa(100)/MgO(100) films show a martensitic transition from a cubic high temperature phase to a martensitic low-temperature phase at 250–275 K as concluded from magnetometry and x-ray diffraction. The martensitic transition of this Heusler compound is shifted in films on Al2O3 to higher temperatures Tm=276 K compared to the bulk value of 200 K. A remarkable change of the Ni x-ray absorption spectra occurs at Tm indicating specific changes of the electronic structure. The observed changes are in agreement with theoretical predictions. The orbital to spin momentum ratio of the Ni moment increases significantly on entering the martensite state thus explaining the macroscopic increase of magnetic anisotropy. The spin and orbital magnetic moments of Co2Cro.6Feo.4 films are similar to values measured for the bulk materials of the corresponding compounds. Interface properties can severely deviate from the bulk properties. We have investigated the interfaces of Co2Cro.6Feo.4 and Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy films and Al cap layers. At elevated temperatures and at rough surfaces the deposited Al severely reacts with the surface of a Heusler alloy indicated by changes of the absorption spectra. Compositional deviations at the interface as detected by XAS can also severely influence magnetic interface properties. Micro-spectroscopy using photoemission electron microscopy reveals an Al surface reaction proceeding inhomogeneously with reaction nuclei separated on a micron length scale.