Near-Compensated Ferrimagnetism in Disordered Co0.5Mn1.5Al Half-Heusler Alloy: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

This study investigates the electronic, magnetic, and transport properties of the Co_0.5Mn_1.5Al half-Heusler alloy, a promising candidate for spintronic applications due to its potential half-metallic and ferrimagnetic characteristics. Experimental efforts focus on structural characterization using X-ray diffraction to examine substitutional disorder, such as Co/Mn site migration and Mn/Al site mixing, and their impacts on magnetic and transport properties. Magnetic characterization, including magnetization and susceptibility, reveals an N-type ferrimagnetic behaviour with a Curie temperature of 670 K. Transport experiments probe resistance and magnetoresistance across various temperatures and magnetic fields to uncover conduction mechanisms and spin-dependent effects. Theoretical band structure calculations, utilizing the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green's function method, investigate the electronic structure and the role of disorder in shaping magnetic and transport properties. This integrated experimental and theoretical approach aims to clarify the alloy's suitability for applications in exchange bias or antiferromagnetic spintronics.