Spin Glass Behavior in Y(Mn1-xAlx)2

Abstract

Neutron diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on a series of pseudobinary intermetallic compounds Y(Mn 1- x Al x ) 2 . Antiferromagnetic order being developed in YMn 2 has been shown to collapse by substitution of no more than 5% of manganese atoms by aluminum atoms. Growth of broad peaks in neutron diffraction patterns at low temperatures and field hysteresis behavior observed in magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate a development of a short range correlated spin glass phase.