Abstract
The rapid growth of the magnetostriction coefficient of ferromagnetic FeGa alloys that occurs at a composition range from has recently been associated with the formation of nanoscale tetragonal precipitates close to an order-disorder transition. The structurally anisotropic precipitates are proposed to rotate in an applied magnetic field, thereby resulting in a large magnetoelastic response. X-ray diffuse scattering measurements sensitive to the atomic short-range ordering and lattice strain were performed on a quenched 18.7 at. Ga alloy and show no dependence on the application of a magnetic field. This negative result sets limits on the role of nanoscale precipitates in magnetostriction.
- Received 21 February 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.214437
©2012 American Physical Society