Magnetic properties of Mn-rich Pd2MnSn Heusler alloys

Pd2Mn1+xSn1−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.30) alloys crystallize in the cubic L21 structure. The lattice parameter a decreases linearly with increasing Mn concentration x. X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate that the excess Mn atoms occupy the vacant Sn sites. All alloys exhibit the ferromagnetic behavior. The pressure change of the magnetic moment per formula unit at 5 K for Pd2MnSn is independent of pressure. The Curie temperature of Pd2Mn1+xSn1−x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.30) alloys increases linearly with increasing x. Magnetization measurements make clear that the magnetic moment of Mn atoms, which substitute for Sn sites, is coupled antiferromagnetically to the magnetic moment of Mn atoms on the ferromagnetic Mn sublattice.