Synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties of ZrNiSn semiconductor doped with Mn

The resistivity thermopower, dc magnetic susceptibility and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of ZnYi(1-x)Mn(x)Sn solid solution with low (0.001 less than or equal tox less than or equal to0.05) Mn concentration were investigated in the 78-400 K temperature range. Polycrystalline samples of the ZrNi1-xMnxSn compounds were prepared by arc-melting of the pure metals. Quantitative atomic emission spectroscopy confirmed the appropriate Mn contents in all alloys. The Lattice parameters of the ZrNi1-xMnxSn compounds with different Mn concentration are almost unchanged. Magnetic susceptibility shows the linear dependence versus inverse magnetic field for all samples, what is evidence for the magnetic interactions in the ZrNi1-xMnxSn compounds. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility for the compounds with 0.005 less than or equal tox less than or equal to0.05 can be described approximately by a Curie-Weiss law. The results of static magnetic measurements were confirmed by EPR technique. The broad line of I type belongs to Mn2+ ions in the Ni-sites in crystal lattice coupled by magnetic dipolar interaction. The narrow line of II type is interpreted as an EPR spectrum of exchange-coupled pairs of clusters of more than two Mn2+ ions. The unusual magnetic properties and the features of dipolar and exchange interaction of the Mn2+ ions in the lattice of ZrNi1-xMnxSn solid solution are discussed. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.