Microwave absorption through the martensitic and Curie transitions in Ni45Cr5Mn37In13

We have investigated the electron spin resonance (ESR) of the Ni45Cr5Mn37In13 Heusler alloy near the structural and magnetic phase transition temperatures. Ni45Cr5Mn37In13 is characterized by a first order magnetostructural (martensitic) transition (MST) with magneto-responsive properties such as magnetoresistance, Hall and magnetocaloric effects, etc., in the vicinity of the MST. Since the details and origins of these behaviors are not well understood, we used a technique beyond magnetometry, i.e., “microwave absorption”, to reveal new information. ESR studies of Ni45Cr5Mn37In13 shows that this compound is characterized by wide absorption spectra at temperatures greater than 250 K that depend on the angle of the magnetic field relative to the normal to the sample plate (α) and temperature (T). Two local maxima at about 5 and 6 kOe were detected for α close to zero degrees near the martensitic transition and Curie temperatures. The absorption spectra are discussed along with the results of the structural and magnetic studies.