Magnetic Order and Lattice Instabilities in Ni₂Mn_(1+x)Sn_(1-x) Heusler based Magnetic Shape-Memory Alloys

The magnetic correlations in the austenite phase and the consequent martensitic transition in inverse magnetocaloric alloys, Ni$_{2}$Mn$_{1+x}$Sn$_{1-x}$, have been a matter of debate for decades. We conclusively establish using {\it ab initio} phonon calculations that the spin alignment of excess Mn at the Sn site (Mn$_{Sn}$) with the existing Mn in the unit cell in the high temperature cubic phase of Ni-Mn-Sn alloy is ferromagnetic (FM), and not ferrimagnetic (FI), resolving a long lasting controversy. Using first principles density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), we observe an instability of the TA$_{2}$ mode along the $\Gamma$-M direction in the FM phase, very similar to that observed in the prototypical ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) Ni$_{2}$MnGa. This specific instability is not observed in the FI phase. Further finite temperature first principles lattice dynamics calculations reveal that at 300 K the FM phase becomes mechanically stable, while the FI phase continue to remain unstable providing credence to the fact that the high-temperature phase has FM order. These results will be primordial to understand the magneto-structural properties of this class of compounds.