Exchange Bias in Bulk Ni$_{50}$Mn$_{35}$In$_{15 - {\rm x}}$Si$_{\rm x}$ Heusler Alloys

Abstract

We have studied the effects of partial substitution of In by Si on the magnetic and exchange bias properties of bulk Ni50 Mn35 In15 Heusler alloys through magnetization measurements. Zero-field and field-cooled magnetization measurements were performed in fields up to 5 T. It was observed that an increase in the Si concentration strongly affects the ground state of the martensitic phase and the magnetic properties of compounds. It was found that exchange bias increases with increasing conduction electron concentration, and the maximum bias field was found to be ≈0.017 T at 5 K for a cooling field of H = 5 T. © 2009 IEEE.