Enhancement of ferromagnetism by Cr doping in Ni-Mn-Cr-Sb Heusler alloys

A series of Mn rich Ni50Mn37-xCrxSb13 Heusler alloys have been investigated by dc magnetization and electrical resistivity measurements. Due to the weakening of the Ni-Mn hybridization, the martensitic transition shifts to lower temperatures with increasing Cr concentration, while the saturation magnetization at 5K increases. The magnetoresistance and exchange bias properties are dramatically suppressed with increasing Cr concentration. The observed behaviors suggest that substitution of Cr for Mn in Ni50Mn37-xCrxSb13 Heusler alloys not only destabilizes the martensitic phase but also enhances ferromagnetism in the system. The possible mechanisms responsible for the observed behavior are discussed. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4795627]