Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Freestanding Ni50Mn30Ga20 films of 13 μm thickness were fabricated by DC magnetron sputtering and analyzed. Magnetic measurements revealed the influence of the post deposition rapid thermal annealing process on the ferromagnetic hysteresis. Ferromagnetic properties evolved after annealing at 400°C. Thermal annealing of at least 600°C led to polycrystalline films that transformed reversibly and martensitically as shown by structural analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Transformation temperatures and enthalpies of transformation of the martensitic transformation were strongly influenced by the temperature of the rapid annealing process. It is proposed that the annealing data reflect the evolution of the crystalline state.