Pressure-induced, strain-tuned Kondo response in Pd₂MnIn Heusler alloy

Over the past few decades Heusler alloys have provided a rich ground for exploration and discovery of half-metal candidates resulting in the progress of diverse spintronic applications. The current investigation in Heusler alloy Pd₂MnIn demonstrates how the application of pressure could be used to introduce local deformational strain into the lattice and its effect of magneto-electronic properties in these systems. The results, showcasing high-pressure neutron diffraction experiments, X-ray diffraction and magnetisation studies, indicate that cycling to ∼70 kbar irreversibly locally deforms the crystal lattice leading to the formation of ferromagnetic, glassy Kondo islands that persist up to high temperatures and ambient pressure conditions. The newly discovered strain-driven Kondo response could lead to breakthroughs in the search for half-metals, Kondo metals and other unconventional spintronic materials.