Thin films of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys processed by laser beam ablation

Several Ni–Mn–Ga and one Co–Ni–Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys were deposited on glass substrates as a series of thin films produced by a pulsed laser ablation technique. Structural and magnetic states of the films have been examined by line-scan X-ray fluorescence chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy as well as by magnetisation and resistivity measurements.