Abstract
The Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 system with 0.5<x<1, which represents a magnetic dilution of the tetragonal MnGa2Se4, retains the defective chalcopyrite structure of the parent compound. Neutron powder diffraction experiments and temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements show that such dilution has a significant influence on the magnetic properties of the system. The distance between the closest magnetic atoms decreases from a to a∕2Å (where a is the lattice parameter and a≈5.6Å), making the Curie-Weiss temperature greater than the expected value. The magnetic dilution also decreases the internal distortion, so that the structure becomes closer to that of the ideal zinc-blende arrangement. Although MnGa2Se4 behaves as an antiferromagnet below TC=6.4±0.1K, the magnetic properties of Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 with 0.5<x<1 suggest a glassy type behavior at low temperatures. This magnetic behavior is found to be compatible with the distribution of the Mn ions within the lattice and can be tuned by tailoring the concentration of magnetic ions. Surprisingly, the magnetically undiluted system corresponding to the Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 0.5<x<1 series is not MnGa2Se4, a magnetic lattice with a body centered cubic symmetry, but a structure possessing a greater number of sites available to the magnetic ions.
Highlights
Unique results can be often obtained from the combination of two or more seemingly independent fields of research
In order to determine the distribution of the magnetic ions within Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 with 0.5Ͻ x Ͻ 1, the crystal structures of the end members of the series have been taken into account
The same tendency occurs for Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 with 0 ഛ x Ͻ 0.5 when the Zn cations are progressively substituted by Mn ions.25. These results indicate that when starting the dilution from either ZnGa2Se4 or MnGa2Se4, the crystal structure of Zn1−xMnxGa2Se4 with 0 Ͻ x Ͻ 1 series tends to minimize the internal distortion, becoming closer to that of the ideal zinc-blende arrangementsee Fig. 4͒
Summary
Unique results can be often obtained from the combination of two or more seemingly independent fields of research. A unique and important feature of DMSs is the interaction which exists between the conduction and/or valence band electrons and the localized magnetic moments of the magnetic ions. These materials are interesting subjects for scientific research and potential device applications due to the combination of electronic, optical, and magnetic properties.. The manganese ions exhibit a completely ordered distribution within MnGa2Se4, the Zn cations are completely disordered in ZnGa2Se4.17,18 This is an additional point of interest of the series under study due to the competition between the order and disorder tendencies. A detailed knowledge of the structural arrangement of the atoms in the lattice is essential in order to understand the magnetic behavior of this DMS series
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