In this project we will study continuum models of magnetic shape memory alloys. This project focuses on the physical processes that take place at the intermediate scale of microstructure and magnetic domain structures in these materials. The transformation processes within these structures are responsible for the large strains at macroscopic lengths that can be achieved by external magnetic fields. Corresponding to the different relevant length scales we will consider a hierarchy of static and dynamic models (and there interrelation), ranging from phenomenological models with finitely many parameters to models resolving the relevant domain wall profiles. To foster the interaction of theory and experiment this project is structured as part of a package whose other part consists of the experimental studies of McCord and Schäfer.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
