Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of Mn₅(Ge_1-xM_x)₃ alloys with M=Sn, Pb

Authors

Y. Zhang, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
A.P. Runge, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Z.S. Shan, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
David J. Sellmyer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

May 1994

Comments

Published by American Institute of Physics. J. Applied Physics 75, 6354 (1994). ©1994 American Institute of Physics. Permission to use. http://jap.aip.org/jap/.

Abstract

We report on the magnetic and magneto-optical properties of the intermetallic alloys Mn₅(Ge_1-xM_x)₃, where M=Sn, Pb. Generally, these alloys were ordered ferromagnetically at T≥300 K for x<0.3. The structure of Mn₅(Ge_1-xSn_x)₃ remains in the hexagonal Mn₅Si₃ (hP16) phase up to x=0.25 and then changes to Ni₂In (hP6) as x approaches 1. The magnetization and Curie temperature of these alloys is largest for small x and reach a minimum value near x=0.5. The room temperature Polar Kerr rotation, however, increases from –0.06° at x=0 to maximum value of –0.12° at x=0.1 before decreasing toward zero for x≥0.3. The Mn₅ (Ge_1-xPb_x)₃ samples show a Mn₅Si₃ structure with ferromagnetic behavior for x≤0.3, and varying structure with rapidly decreasing magnetization above x=0.3. The magnetic behavior observed was complex for x≥0.3. The Kerr rotation of the Pb-doped alloys in the ferromagnetic region monotonically decreases from –0.06° to zero at x≃0.3.