Physical properties of the ordered and disordered Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy films

The ordered and disordered Ni2MnGa alloy films were prepared by using the flash-evaporation technique. The structure and the temperature dependence of the transport and magnetic properties of the films were investigated. Unexpectedly, the disordering in Ni2MnGa alloy films does not lead to any appreciable magnetic ordering down to 4 K. An annealing of the disordered films restores the ordered structure with an almost full recovery of the magnetic and the transport properties of the ordered alloy films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]