Magnetoresistance origin in martensitic and austenitic phases of Ni2Mn1+xSn1-x

The magnetoresistance (MR) of Ni2Mn1+xSn1-x (0.40 <= x <= 0.52) is studied as functions of temperature and magnetic field in austenitic and martensitic phases. The maximum MR obtained is -36% (x = 0.4) at 170 K with 7 T magnetic field during martensitic transition. The MR in the martensitic phase (maximum -2.2%) is less than that in austenitic phase (maximum -4.6%). The origin of less MR below and above martensitic transition is understood through the experimental data fitting with magnetic field dependence (H-n) of MR. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3592853]