Surface and bulk properties of the Heusler compound Co2Cr0.6Fe0.4Al: a Moessbauer study

To explore its structural and magnetic properties, the Heusler compound Co2Cr0.6Fe0.4Al was investigated using Moessbauer spectroscopy. The results of both transmission and conversion electron Moessbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) are analyzed to obtain insight into both the disorder effects as well as the differences between bulk and surface properties. It was found that mechanical treatment of the surfaces of bulk samples causes disorder and phase segregation, effects that should be taken into consideration when performing studies using surface-informative techniques. Results from bulk sample CEMS measurements of Co2Cr0.6Fe0.4Al are used to interpret the thin film Moessbauer spectra of this compound.