Features of the magnetic behavior of Mn 2−x Cr x Sb alloys in the low-temperature state

• Published in: Low temperature physics (Woodbury, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2002-03, Vol.28 (3), p.194-198
• Main Authors: Val’kov, V. I., Kamenev, V. I., Buzhinsky, S. A., Romanova, N. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1063-777X; 1090-6517
• DOI: 10.1063/1.1468523

The spontaneous and magnetic-field-induced first-order magnetic phase transitions in single-crystal samples of the alloy system Mn 2−x Cr x Sb (symmetry space group P4/nmm) are investigated in samples with x=0.06 and x=0.12. It is found that the spontaneous first-order transitions from the high-temperature to the low-temperature phase are not accompanied by complete vanishing of the magnetization. At the induced transitions the magnetization before and after the transition is an increasing linear function of field. It is concluded on the basis of the results that the ground state in these alloys cannot be one of collinear antiferromagnetism, as had been thought previously. Other possibilities for interpreting the ground state and the mechanisms of order–disorder transitions inherent to magnets with itinerant carriers of magnetism are examined. It is conjectured that the local magnetic moment has a ferromagnetic and a periodic component which are formed by itinerant d electrons and coexist in low- and high-temperature phases.