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

The resistivity thermopower, dc magnetic susceptibility and electron parama gnetic 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 w ere investigated in the 78-400 K temperature range. Polycrystalline samples of the ZrNi1-xMnxSn compounds were prepared by arc-melting of the pure met als. Quantitative atomic emission spectroscopy confirmed the appropriate Mn contents in all alloys. The Lattice parameters of the ZrNi1-xMnxSn compoun ds with different Mn concentration are almost unchanged. Magnetic susceptib ility shows the linear dependence versus inverse magnetic held for all samp les, what is evidence for the magnetic interactions in the ZrNi1-xMnxSn com pounds. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility for the compo unds with 0.005 less than or equal tox less than or equal to0.05 can be des cribed approximately by a Curie-Weiss law. The results of static magnetic m easurements were confirmed by EPR technique. The broad line of I type belon gs to Mn2+ ions in the Ni-sites in crystal lattice coupled by magnetic dipo lar interaction. The narrow line of II type is interpreted as an EPR spectr um of exchange-coupled pairs of clusters of more than two Mn2+ ions. The un usual magnetic properties and the features of dipolar and exchange interact ion of the Mn2+ ions in the lattice of ZrNi1-xMnxSn solid solution are disc ussed. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.