A Monte Carlo study of the yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y₂CrGa and YFeCrGa

Abstract

Purpose In this paper, using Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs) under the metropolis algorithm, the authors study the magnetic properties of the yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa. In the first step, the authors elaborate and discuss the ground-state phase diagrams of the more stable configurations. It is worth to note that the full-Heusler alloy Y 2 CrGa contains only one magnetic atom (Cr), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa has two magnetic atoms (Cr and Fe). This leads to modeling of the compound Y 2 CrGa by a Hamiltonian containing only one magnetic spin moment ( S = 2), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa is modeled by a Hamiltonian containing two magnetic spin moments ( Q = 5/2 and s = 2). The results of the study reveal that the critical temperature increases when increasing the reduced crystal field for the two studied compounds. To complete this study, the authors elaborated the hysteresis cycles of the two yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors study the magnetic properties and the critical behavior of the yttrium-based Heusler alloys, Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa, using MCSs under the metropolis algorithm. In the first step, the authors elaborate and discuss the ground-state phase diagrams of the more stable configurations for the both structures at null temperature ( T = 0). On the other hand, for non-null temperature ( T ≠ 0), the authors investigate the critical behavior of these two yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa. It is worth to note that the full-Heusler alloy Y 2 CrGa contains only one magnetic atom (Cr), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa has two magnetic atoms (Cr and Fe). Hence, the compound Y 2 CrGa can be modeled by a Hamiltonian containing only one magnetic spin moment ( S = 2), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa is modeled by a Hamiltonian containing two magnetic spin moments ( Q = 5/2 and s = 2). Moreover, the results of the study reveal that the critical temperature increases when increasing the reduced crystal field for the two studied compounds. To complete this study, the authors elaborated the hysteresis cycles of the two yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa. Findings The authors elaborate the ground-state phase diagrams of the more stable configurations. It is worth to note that the full-Heusler alloy Y 2 CrGa contains only one magnetic atom (Cr), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa has two magnetic atoms (Cr and Fe). This leads to modeling of the compound Y 2 CrGa by a Hamiltonian containing only one magnetic spin moment ( S = 2), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa is modeled by a Hamiltonian containing two magnetic spin moments ( Q = 5/2 and s = 2). The results of the study reveal that the critical temperature increases when increasing the reduced crystal field for the two studied compounds. To complete this study, the authors elaborated the hysteresis cycles of the two yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa. Research limitations/implications The authors elaborate the ground-state phase diagrams of the more stable configurations. It is worth to note that the full-Heusler alloy Y 2 CrGa contains only one magnetic atom (Cr), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa has two magnetic atoms (Cr and Fe). This leads to modeling of the compound Y 2 CrGa by a Hamiltonian containing only one magnetic spin moment ( S = 2), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa is modeled by a Hamiltonian containing two magnetic spin moments ( Q = 5/2 and s = 2). The results of the study reveal that the critical temperature increases when increasing the reduced crystal field for the two studied compounds. To complete this study, the authors elaborated the hysteresis cycles of the two yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa. Practical implications The authors elaborate the ground-state phase diagrams of the more stable configurations. It is worth to note that the full-Heusler alloy Y 2 CrGa contains only one magnetic atom (Cr), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa has two magnetic atoms (Cr and Fe). This leads to modeling of the compound Y 2 CrGa by a Hamiltonian containing only one magnetic spin moment ( S = 2), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa is modeled by a Hamiltonian containing two magnetic spin moments ( Q = 5/2 and s = 2). The results of the study reveal that the critical temperature increases when increasing the reduced crystal field for the two studied compounds. To complete this study, the authors elaborated the hysteresis cycles of the two yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa. Social implications The authors elaborate the ground-state phase diagrams of the more stable configurations. It is worth to note that the full-Heusler alloy Y 2 CrGa contains only one magnetic atom (Cr), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa has two magnetic atoms (Cr and Fe). This leads to modeling of the compound Y2CrGa by a Hamiltonian containing only one magnetic spin moment ( S = 2), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa is modeled by a Hamiltonian containing two magnetic spin moments ( Q = 5/2 and s = 2). The results of the study reveal that the critical temperature increases when increasing the reduced crystal field for the two studied compounds. To complete this study, the authors elaborated the hysteresis cycles of the two yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa. Originality/value The authors elaborate the ground-state phase diagrams of the more stable configurations. It is worth to note that the full-Heusler alloy Y 2 CrGa contains only one magnetic atom (Cr), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa has two magnetic atoms (Cr and Fe). This leads to modeling of the compound Y 2 CrGa by a Hamiltonian containing only one magnetic spin moment ( S = 2), while the quaternary Heusler alloy YFeCrGa is modeled by a Hamiltonian containing two magnetic spin moments ( Q = 5/2 and s = 2). The results of the study reveal that the critical temperature increases when increasing the reduced crystal field for the two studied compounds. To complete this study, the authors elaborated the hysteresis cycles of the two yttrium-based Heusler alloys: Y 2 CrGa and YFeCrGa.

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