The structural, magnetic and electronic properties of Fe-Ni-Ga ternary Heusler alloys

Abstract The structure and magnetic properties of Fe50+xNi25-xGa25, Fe50-xNi25+xGa25, and Fe50-xNi25Ga25+x (0 ≤ x ≤ 10) Heusler alloys were investigated by experimental and theoretical methods. These alloys have a cubic lattice and ferromagnetic structure. The results demonstrate that strong d-d bonding existed between the Fe-Fe and Fe-Ni atoms. The covalent effect originating from the p-d hybridization was verified by the density of states and electron-localization function diagrams, which led to an ordered structure but decreased the band splitting. The variations in the properties, such as the lattice structure, structural ordering temperature, magnetic moment and Curie temperature, were dominated by a combination of the d-d and p-d bonding in these alloys.