Heusler and half-Heusler compounds for spintronics

 

Bulk (VGF) and thin films grown by PLD

 

• International Patent: PCT Int. Appl. (2002), 8 p. WO 2002082479A1 W: (AU, CN, DE, GB, JP, US): Method of fabrication of ferromagnetic intermetallic films,J.Giapintzakis, A.Klini, C.Fotakis, C.E.A.Grigorescu, V. Zorba
• Heusler compounds: X2YZxZ’1-x (X, Y = transition metals as Co, Mn and Z, Z’ –sp elements)
• Half -Heusler compounds NiMnSb, CoMnSb, etc.
• Half metals, with a finite density-of-states at E_F for only one spin state -promising electron sources for spintronics.
• Heusler and half-Heusler intermetallic compounds - predicted to be half metal

 

Applications: spin-devices for information storage and sensors, with applications in IT, pollution control and detection, medicine