Pressure-induced, strain-tuned Kondo response in Pd2MnIn Heusler alloy

Over the past few decades Heusler alloys have provided a rich ground for exploration and discovery of half-metal candidates resulting in the progress of diverse spintronic applications. The current investigation in Heusler alloy Pd2MnIn demonstrates how the application of pressure could be used to introduce local deformational strain into the lattice and its effect of magneto-electronic properties in these systems. The results, showcasing high-pressure neutron diffraction experiments, X-ray diffraction and magnetisation studies, indicate that cycling to ∼70 kbar irreversibly locally deforms the crystal lattice leading to the formation of ferromagnetic, glassy Kondo islands that persist up to high temperatures and ambient pressure conditions. The newly discovered strain-driven Kondo response could lead to breakthroughs in the search for half-metals, Kondo metals and other unconventional spintronic materials.