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High mobility of twin boundaries in modulated martensites of Ni-Mn-Ga-based ferromagnetic shape memory alloys holds a promise for unique magnetomechanical applications. This feature has not been fully understood so far, and in particular it has yet not been unveiled what makes the lattice mechanics of modulated Ni-Mn-Ga specifically different from other martensitic alloys. Here, results of dedicated laser-ultrasonic measurements on hierarchically twinned five-layer modulated (10 M) crystals fill this gap. Using a combination of transient grating spectroscopy and laser-baser resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, it is confirmed that there is a shear elastic instability in the lattice, being significantly stronger than in any other martensitic material and also than what the first-principles calculations for Ni-Mn-Ga predict. The experimental results reveal that the instability is directly related to the lattice modulations. A lattice-scale mechanism of dynamic faulting of the modulation sequence that explains this behavior is proposed; this mechanism can explain the extraordinary mobility of twin boundaries in 10 M., Comment: Manuscript accepted to Advanced Materials. Supplementary material (text and figures) is available as ancillary file

Irreversible plastic forming of B19$^\prime$ martensite of the NiTi shape memory alloy is discussed within the framework of continuum mechanics. It is suggested that the main mechanism arises from coupling between martensite reorientation and coordinated $[100](001)_{\rm M}$ dislocation slip. A heuristic model is proposed, showing that the ${(20\bar{1})_{\rm M}}$ deformation-twin bands, commonly observed in experiments, can be interpreted as a combination of dislocation-mediated kink bands, appearing due to strong plastic anisotropy, and reversible twinning of martensite. We introduce a term 'kwinking' for this combination of reversible twinning and irreversible plastic kinking. The model is subsequently formulated using the tools of nonlinear elasticity theory of martensite and crystal plasticity, introducing 'kwink interfaces' as planar, kinematically compatible interfaces between two differently plastically slipped variants of martensite. It is shown that the ${(20\bar{1})_{\rm M}}$ kwink bands may be understood as resultsing from energy minimization, and that their nucleation and growth and their pairing with $(100)_{\rm M}$ twins into specific patterns enables low-energy plastic forming of NiTi martensite. We conclude that kwinking makes plastic deformation of B19$^\prime$ martensite in polycrystalline NiTi possible despite only one slip system being available., Comment: Manuscript accepted to International Journal of Plasticity

In field electron emission (FE) studies, to interpret current-voltage data and extract characterization parameters, we use smooth planar metal-like emitter (SPME) methodology and a data-analysis plot. Three types exist: Millikan-Lauritsen (ML), Fowler-Nordheim (FN) and Murphy-Good (MG) plots. In SPME methodology, ML and FN plots are slightly curved but a MG plot is nearly straight. 1956 MG FE theory is better physics than 1928 FN theory, so we expect MG plots to be more precise than ML or FN plots. Current-voltage data are often converted: measured voltage to (apparent) macroscopic field, current to macroscopic current density. Thus, four different data-input forms exist. Over-simplified models of system behaviour are widely assumed. Whether simple use of a data-analysis plot is a valid interpretation method is often neglected. Published FE studies seem to contain a high incidence of spurious values for "field enhancement factor". A procedure (the "Orthodoxy Test") described in 2013 allows a validity check: around 40 % of a small sample of results were spuriously high. To assist data interpretation and validity checks, a simple user-friendly webtool has been designed by the lead author. As inputs, this needs system specification data and "range-limits" data from any of the three plot forms, using any of the four data-input forms. The webtool then applies the Orthodoxy Test, and -- if passed -- extracts characterization parameters. This study reports: (1) systematic tests of webtool functionality, using simulated input data prepared using Extended MG FE theory; and (2) systematic comparisons of the three different data-plot types, to check how well extracted parameter values match simulation input values. A summary review of relevant theory is given. For formal emission areas, the MG plot performs better than FN and ML plots. This is important for FE science., Comment: 16 printed pages, 8 figures. Open-access published version