Abstract
Muon spin rotation ( μ SR) spectra recorded for manganese silicide MnSi and interpreted in terms of a quantitative analysis constrained by symmetry arguments were recently published. The magnetic structures of MnSi in zero-field at low temperature and in the conical phase near the magnetic phase transition were shown to substantially deviate from the expected helical and conical structures. Here, we present material backing the previous results obtained in zero-field. First, from simulations of the field distributions experienced by the muons as a function of relevant parameters, we confirm the uniqueness of the initial interpretation and illustrate the remarkable complementarity of neutron scattering and μ SR for the MnSi magnetic structure determination. Second, we present the result of a μ SR experiment performed on MnSi crystallites grown in a Zn-flux and compare it with the previous data recorded with a crystal obtained from Czochralski pulling. We find the magnetic structure for the two types of crystals to be identical within experimental uncertainties. We finally address the question of a possible muon-induced effect by presenting transverse field μ SR spectra recorded in a wide range of temperature and field intensity. The field distribution parameters perfectly scale with the macroscopic magnetization, ruling out a muon-induced effect.
Highlights
The physics of the intermetallic compound MnSi has attracted much attention since its crystal structure was established at room temperature in 1933 [1]
The extracted information is limited to these results. This has motivated us to attempt the determination of the magnetic structure in zero magnetic field, as well as near Tc in the conical phase, using the muon spin rotation technique
We have carried out a critical analysis of previous conclusions drawn from a quantitative interpretation of μSR measurements about the magnetic structure of MnSi in zero field [9]
Summary
The physics of the intermetallic compound MnSi has attracted much attention since its crystal structure was established at room temperature in 1933 [1] It crystallizes in the cubic P213 space group characterized by the absence of a center of symmetry. The extracted information is limited to these results This has motivated us to attempt the determination of the magnetic structure in zero magnetic field, as well as near Tc in the conical phase, using the muon spin rotation (μSR) technique. A unique value for the local field is found for muons located at sites whose local symmetry axis is parallel to k, irrespective of the phase of the magnetic moments. For the other muon sites which are three times more frequent, the incommensurate nature of the magnetic structure leads to a continuous distribution of fields spanning between two van Hove-like singularities. We demonstrate that there is no influence of the muon on the magnetic structure inferred by μSR
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