Evidence of ferromagnetism in off-stoichiometric Fe2.5−xV1+xAl0.5 (X2YZ) Heusler alloys

In this work we study the structural and magnetic properties of Fe2.5−xV1+xAl0.5 alloys. These compounds exhibit a ferromagnetic behavior in the ordered L21 phase (X2YZ) at low temperature. The increase of the V concentration is detrimental to the onset of a long range ferromagnetic ordering in this system. The results indicate that the Fe atoms are carrying the largest magnetic moment. A re-entrant transition from a spin-glass to a ferromagnetic state was observed at low temperature.