Effect of adding Cr on magnetic properties and metallic behavior in MnTe film

Mn1 − xCrxTe films with x = 0, 0.02, and 0.05 was synthesized by pulsed laser deposition and crystallize in hexagonal NiAs-type structure. The spin glass behavior predicted before by Monte Carlo calculation is observed in the MnTe film. This behavior is destroyed by adding Cr in the MnTe film. The temperature dependence of magnetization shows a sharp rise at around 66 K, due to the magneto-elastic coupling. Metallic behavior is observed in the MnTe film in the temperature range 120–220 K, which is ascribed to the magnetic ordering. The metallic behavior disappears with adding Cr, because adding Cr ions destroys the magnetic ordering which is mediated by the sp–d exchange interaction between the Cr ions.

► Mn1 − xCrxTe films with NiAs-type structure was prepared by pulsed laser deposition.
► The spin glass behavior was observed in MnTe film at low temperature.
► The spin glass behavior was destroyed by adding Cr.
► The temperature dependence of magnetization showed a sharp rise at around 66 K.
► Metallic behavior was observed in MnTe film, which disappeared by adding Cr.