Electric and magnetic signatures of martensitic and intermartensitic transformations in Ni–Mn–Ga crystal

Results are reported on the temperature dependence of resistivity (200≤T≤360 K) and low-field magnetization (5≤T≤350 K) for the off-stoichiometric Ni49Mn29Ga22 single crystal. Measurements are made for both heating and cooling cycles. The resistivity data show two first-order (hysteretic) transformations centered at about 340 and 250 K. The magnetization data show the same two transformations as the resistivity data as well as a third centered at 285 K. The results are consistent with a martensite/austenite transformation near 340 K and two intermartensitic transformations centered at 285 and 250 K (three martensite phases).