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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Phase-separation-induced changes in the magnetic and transport properties of the quaternary Heusler alloyCo2Mn1−xTixSn

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description

The quaternary Heusler compound ${\text{Co}}_{2}{\text{Mn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Ti}}_{x}\text{Sn}$ with $x=0$, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 shows a phase separation into the two Heusler compounds, ${\text{Co}}_{2}\text{MnSn}$ and ${\text{Co}}_{2}\text{TiSn}$. Only at the edges of the composition range a slight admixture of Mn and Ti to the respective other phase is observed. This phase separation leads to a distinct microstructure which can be altered by the composition of the material. Pronounced changes in the magnetic and electronic properties take place with varying composition. Two magnetic transitions occur which indicate different Curie temperatures for both phases. The reduction in the thermal lattice conductivity is of particular interest for an optimization of Heusler compounds for thermoelectric applications. In the field of spintronics the use of superlattices composed of ${\text{Co}}_{2}\text{MnSn}$ and ${\text{Co}}_{2}\text{TiSn}$ without any interlayer diffusion is suggested.