Low-temperature neutron diffraction study of MnTe

Investigation of transport and magnetic properties of MnTe at low temperatures showed anomalies like negative coefficient of resistance below 100 K and a sharp rise in susceptibility at around 83 K similar to a ferromagnetic transition. Low temperature powder neutron diffraction experiments were therefore carried out to understand the underlying phenomena responsible for such anomalous behavior. Our study indicates that the rise in susceptibility at low temperatures is due to strengthening of ferromagnetic interaction within the plane over the inter-plane antiferromagnetic interactions.