Shifted M-H loop in a phase-decomposed Fe-12%Mn alloy

The authors have successfully induced a shifted M-H loop at room temperature in an Fe-12%Mn alloy by phase decomposition into a submicron two-phase structure and uniaxial deformation to elongate the interfaces parallel to the field direction. The remanent induction of the material after magnetization was utilized as an internal field, thus making the field cooling process unnecessary. The shift [H_c(+)=84 Oe (6.67 kA/m), H_c (-)=94 Oe (7.46 kA/m)] was unidirectional rather than uniaxial. The behavior is attributed to the exchange interaction at the interface between the spins of the Fe-rich ferromagnetic phase and those of the antiferromagnetic Mn-rich phase with its Neel temperature above room temperature