Effect of external pressure on the magnetic structure of Fe-doped MnNiGe alloys

Magnetic equiatomic alloys (MEAs) of the general formula MM'X (M, M' = transition metals, X = Si, Ge, Sn) undergo magnetostructural transition of martensitic type on cooling from high temperature. These alloys are identified as new class of shape memory alloy and attracted considerable attention due to their rewarding magneto-functional properties like large magnetocaloric effect, exchange bias effect, magnetoresistance and observation of spin-glass like ground state. Application of pressure often results in a significant change in magnetic behaviours. In this proposal, we would like to perform powder neutron diffraction in presence of external hydrostatic pressure on two Fe-doped MEA of nominal compositions Mn0.85Fe0.15NiGe, and MnNi0.75Fe0.25Ge to unveil the effect of pressure on the magnetic ground state and how it is related to the martensitic type structural transition.