Reflection of elastic waves in a crystal of Heusler alloy Ni2MnGa in the phase transition range

Abstract

The reflection of longitudinal and transverse acoustic waves from the free surface of the ferromagnetic shape memory alloy Ni2MnGa that is located in the ranges of the premartensite and martensite phase transformations is considered. The propagation directions and amplitudes of the waves reflected in the (001) plane of the crystal are determined. They acquire the character of substantially quasi-longitudinal and quasi-transverse vibrations rather than being pure modes. The angles of wave reflection and conversion are shown to be effectively controlled by temperature and a magnetic field due to the colossal acoustic anisotropy of the crystal over the wide range of its phase transitions. Beginning from a certain critical angle of incidence of a quasi-transverse wave, the quasi-longitudinal wave having appeared upon reflection becomes an accompanying surface vibration, and it can be emitted into the bulk of the crystal when the phase transition point is approached. Two angles of full conversion of an incident quasi-longitudinal wave into a quasi-transverse wave are established, and their temperature dependences are found. Trivisonno’s experimental data for the ultrasound velocity and absorption in an Ni2MnGa crystal are used to numerically estimate these acoustic effects.