Nature of electron correlation and hybridization in Ni_xCu_1−xMnSb Heusler alloys

The electronic structure of Heusler alloys having mixed magnetic phases, comprising of vicinal anti-ferromagnetic and ferromagnetic orders, is of great significance. We present the results of an electronic structure study on NixCu1−xMnSb Heusler alloys, using Mn-2p core-level photoemission spectroscopy. Room temperature data in the paramagnetic phase reveal a non-monotonic variation of both electron correlation strength and conduction-band hybridization such that the former enhances while the latter weakens for compositions showing a mixed phase relative to compositions at the phase boundaries to the ordered phases. The results suggest a possible electronic driving force for settling mixed-magnetic phases.