A Microstructural Study of the InSb〈Ni, Mn〉 alloy

Abstract—The InSb + 1 at % Ni + 1 at % Mn alloy was studied by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A Heusler phase based on NiMnSb in the form of microinclusions on InSb dislocations was detected. The chemical composition of the microinclusions on dislocation pile-ups ranges from Ni_1.1MnSb to Ni_1.2MnSb, and that on individual dislocations is close to Ni_1.1MnSb. However, the synthesis gives rise to bulk structural defects in the form of micropores and to elastic deformations around them, which are the main obstacles to the creation of a coherent material with unhindered movement of polarized electrons throughout the volume.