Strain-induced dimensionality crossover of precursor modulations in Ni₂MnGa

Precursor modulations often occur in functional materials like magnetic shape memory alloys, ferroelectrics, and superconductors. In this letter, we have revealed the underlying mechanism of the precursor modulations in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys Ni₂MnGa by combining synchrotron-based x-ray diffraction experiments and first-principles phonon calculations. We discovered the precursor modulations along [011] direction can be eliminated with [001] uniaxial loading, while the precursor modulations or premartensite can be totally suppressed by hydrostatic pressure condition. The TA₂ phonon anomaly is sensitive to stress induced lattice strain, and the entire TA₂ branch is stabilized along the directions where precursor modulations are eliminated by external stress. Our discovery bridges precursor modulations and phonon anomalies, and sheds light on the microscopic mechanism of the two-step superelasticity in precursor martensite.