Effect of external fields on the martensitic transformation in Ni-Mn based Heusler alloys

In this paper, we discuss the possibility of inducing a martensitic transition by means of an applied magnetic field or hydrostatic pressure in Ni-Mn based Heusler shape memory alloys. We report on the shift of the martensitic transition temperatures with applied magnetic field and applied pressure and we show that it is possible to induce the structural transformation in a Ni₅₀Mn₃₄In₁₆ alloy by means of both external fields due to: (i) the low value of the entropy change and (ii) the large change of magnetization and volume, which occur at the martensitic transition.