Anomalous magnetic properties in Ni50Mn35In15

We present here a comprehensive investigation of the magnetic ordering in Ni50Mn35In15 composition. A concomitant first order martensitic transition and the magnetic ordering occurring in this off-stoichiometric Heusler compound at room temperature signify the multifunctional character of this magnetic shape memory alloy. Unusual features are observed in the dependence of the magnetization on temperature that can be ascribed to a frustrated magnetic order. It is compelling to ascribe these features to the cluster type description that may arise due to inhomogeneity in the distribution of magnetic atoms. However, evidence is presented from our ac susceptibility, electrical resistivity and dc magnetization studies that there exists a competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic order within the crystal structure of this system. We show that excess Mn atoms that substitute the In atoms have a crucial bearing on the magnetic order of this compound. These excess Mn atoms are antiferromagnetically aligned to the other Mn, which explains the peculiar dependence of magnetization on temperature.