Characteristics of a granular electronic system in Heusler-type Fe2+xV1-xAl

J Phys Condens Matter. 2013 Jul 10;25(27):275603. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/27/275603. Epub 2013 Jun 17.

Abstract

We report comprehensive measurements of the magnetic, transport, and thermal properties of the Heusler-type compound Fe2+xV1-xAl, with x values near the ferromagnetic quantum critical point, xc ∼ 0.05. At T ∼ 60 K, a prominent Schottky-like anomaly appeared in the specific heat; this anomaly was correlated with a smaller pseudo-gap formation in magnetic susceptibility, magnetoresistance, and thermoelectric power. Furthermore, a magnetic anomaly observed in the magnetic susceptibility and resistivity at T ∼ 4 K was suppressed significantly by applying a magnetic field. A magnetically inhomogeneous phase arose below T ∼ 60 K, which appeared to consist of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic clusters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum / chemistry*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Magnetic Fields*
  • Magnets / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Quantum Theory
  • Temperature
  • Vanadium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Vanadium
  • Aluminum