Abstract
The equiatomic ternary compounds NdMnAl and RMnIn (R=Nd, Gd, Dy, Er, and Y) have been synthesized for the first time. In this paper, we report their crystal structure and the magnetic behavior of three of them (i.e., NdMnAl, GdMnIn, and DyMnIn). While NdMnAl and NdMnIn have the cubic, Laves-phase, C-15-type structure, the latter compounds form in the closely related hexagonal, Laves-phase, C-14-type structure. The Mn ions carry a substantial magnetic moment in the three compounds, but magnetization does not exhibit signatures of long-range magnetic ordering. Broad peaks in the thermal variation of magnetization, accompanied with thermomagnetic irreversibility below the peak region and hysteresis loops at low temperatures with large coercivity indicate spin glass-type freezing of the magnetic moments. The heat capacity data, measured in the range of 1.8 to 100 K, do not exhibit peaks associated with long-range magnetic order and, thus, corroborate the results inferred from magnetization data. Resistivities of these compounds are large and show negative temperature coefficients. These observations can be reconciled to a highly disordered state brought about by the random substitution of In or Al for Mn in these compounds.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
T. Yamada, N. Kunitomi, Y. Nakai, D.E. Cox, and G. Shirane: “Magnetic Structure of α-Mn,” J. Phys. Soc. Japan, 1970, 28, pp. 615–27.
J.H. Mooij: “Electrical Conduction in Concentrated Disordered Transition Metal Alloys,” Phys. Stat. Sol. (a), 1973, 17, pp. 521–30.
K. Yvon, W. Jeitschko, E. Parthé: “LAZY PULVERIX, a Computer Program for Calculating X-ray and Neutron Diffraction Powder Patterns,” J. Appl. Crystallogr., 1977, 10, pp. 73–74.
M. Jonson and S.M. Girvin: “Electron-Phonon Dynamics and Transport Anomalies in Random Metal Alloys,” Phys. Rev. Lett., 1979, 43, pp. 1447–51.
J. Villian: “Insulating Spin Glasses,” Z. Physik B, 1979, 33, pp. 31–42.
S.K. Malik, S.K. Dhar, and R. Vijayaraghavan: “Magnetisation and 55Mn Hyperfine Field in RMn2 (R=Rare Earth) Intermetallic Compounds,” in The Rare Earth in Modern Science and Technology, McCarthy, Silber, and Rhyne, ed., Plenum Publishing, New York, NY, 1982, pp. 385–89.
F. Matsubara: “Random Impurity Effects in Systems with Frustrating Interactions,” J. Phys. Soc. Japan, 1985, 54, pp. 1677–80.
M. Shiga, H. Wada, K. Yoshimura, and Y. Nakamura: “Transition from Itinerant Electron to Local Moment System in Y(Mn1−xAlx)2,” J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 1986, 54–57, pp. 1073–74.
H. Kamimura, J. Sakurai, Y. Komura, H. Nakamura, M. Shiga, and Y. Nakamura: “Thermoelectric Power of Y(Mn1−xAlx)2,” J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 1987, 70, pp. 145–46.
M. Shiga: “Magnetism and Spin Fluctuations of Laves Phase Manganese Compounds,” Physica B, 1988, 149, pp. 293–305.
M. Shiga, “Magnetic Ordering and Frustration in Itinerant Systems: RMn2,” J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 1994, 129, pp. 17–25.
P. Manfrinetti, A. Palenzona, S.K. Dhar, C. Mitra, P.L. Paulose, D. Pal, and S. Ramakrishnan: “Possible Sign Change of Mn-Mn Exchange Interaction Between ThMnAl and ThMnIn,” J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 2000, 213, pp. 404–12.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dhar, S.K., Mitra, C., Manfrinetti, P. et al. Synthesis and magnetic properties of NdMnAl and some RMnIn (R=rare earth). JPE 23, 79–82 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1361/105497102770332252
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1361/105497102770332252