Unraveling the Effects of Co-Concentration on Magnetism in Co_xTiSn Heusler Thin Films

High spin polarization, low damping, and exotic states such as antiskyrmions make Heusler alloys exciting candidates for magnetic materials applications[1]. Magnetic properties of Heuslers are very sensitive to their crystal structures which makes them ideal for investigating fundamental questions related to magnetization dynamics, mainly relaxation mechanisms in magnetic materials. 

We have prepared arc-melted bulk[2] and grown CoxTiSn[3] thin films(x = 1.5, 1.75, 2) on Al₂O₃ substrates and carried out extensive structural and magnetic characterization via X-ray reflectivity and diffraction, neutron reflectivity (ORNL MAGREF) and diffraction[4] (ORNL VERITAS), and low temperature broadband ferromagnetic resonance. XRD measurements confirm high-quality single crystallinity and single-phase films with uniform structure for 1.5 < x < 2, indicating a significant improvement over previously reported Co2TiSn samples[3].

 

FMR is used to determine magnetic damping of these films far below and near curie temperature. We will present our results on detailed structural and magnetic characterization of these films important for applied and fundamental research in field of magnetic materials. 

 

References

 

1. A.K. Nayak et al., Nature 548 (2017).

 

2. N. Naghibolashrafi et al., J. Alloys Compd. 924 (2022).

 

3. R. Nahar et al., Phys. Rev. Mater. 9 (2025).

 

4. W.M. Postiglione et al., APL Mater. 12 (2024).