Structural and magnetic properties of a prospective spin gapless semiconductor MnCrVAl

ORAL

Abstract

Recently a new class of material, spin gapless semiconductors (SGS), has attracted much attention because of their potential for spintronic devices. We have synthesized a Heusler compound, MnCrVAl, which is theoretically predicted to exhibit SGS by arc melting, rapid quenching and thermal annealing. First principles calculations are employed to describe its structural, electronic and magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction indicates that the rapidly quenched samples crystallize in the disordered cubic structure. The crystal structure is stable against heat treatment up to 650$^{o}$C. The samples show very small saturation magnetization, 0.3 emu/g, at room temperature under high magnetic field, 30 kOe. Above room temperature, the magnetization increases with increasing temperature undergoing a magnetic transition at 560$^{o}$C, similar to an antiferromagnetic-to-paramagnetic transition. The prospect of this material for spintronic applications will be discussed.

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Authors

  • Y Huh

    Department of Physics, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007

  • S Gilbert

    Department of Physics, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007

  • Parashu Kharel

    South Dakota State University, Department of Physics, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007

  • Y Jin

    University of Nebraska Lincoln, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588

  • P Lukashev

    University of Northern Iowa, Department of Physics, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614

  • S Valloppilly

    University of Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588

  • D. J. Sellmyer

    Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Physics and Astronomy and NCMN, University of Nebraska, Univ of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska Lincoln, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588