Magnetic Domain Structure and Magnetically-Induced Reorientation in Ni-Mn-Ga Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy

Magnetization process during magnetically induced reorientation and related magnetic domains of cuboid Ni50Mn28.5Ga21.5 single crystal with {100} faces was investigated. Magnetic domains were visualized using magneto-optical indicator. The domains pattern is determined by strong uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of Ni-Mn-Ga martensite. Thanks to magnetically induced reorientation the domains arrangements for all three crystal orientations could be obtained and we showed that the size of domains scales with square root of the thickness and penetrates through whole crystal. Visualization of magnetic domains on all faces of cuboid provides the 3D model of magnetic domains.