Ferromagnetism and double magnetic phase transitions in rapidly solidified Mn1.13Ni1.03Fe0.23Ge0.61 ribbons

The rapidly solidified Mn1.13Ni1.03Fe0.23Ge0.61 ribbons are prepared by the melt-spinning technique in argon atmosphere. A single phase with the Ni2In-type structure is confirmed by XRD means in the melt-spun ribbons at room temperature. What is more important, a ferromagnetic phase transition (around ∼186 K) with a zero thermal hysteresis followed by another magnetic transition (around ∼166 K) with a thermal hysteresis of ∼2 K is achieved. Double magnetic transitions lead to two successive magnetic entropy peaks with the same sign accordingly. The origin of ferromagnetism and double magnetic phase transitions in melt-spun Mn1.13Ni1.03Fe0.23Ge0.61 ribbons is discussed.