Half-metallic ferromagnetism with high magnetic moment and high Curie temperature in Co2FeSi

Abstract

Co 2 Fe Si crystallizes in the ordered L21 structure as proven by x-ray diffraction and Möβbauer spectroscopy. The magnetic moment of Co2FeSi was measured to be about 6μB at 5 K. Magnetic circular dichroism spectra excited by soft x-rays were taken to determine the element-specific magnetic moments of Co and Fe. The Curie temperature was measured with different methods to be (1100±20)K. Co2FeSi was found to be the Heusler compound as well as the half-metallic ferromagnet with the highest magnetic moment and Curie temperature.