Magnetic and neutron diffraction studies on PrMnSb2

Abstract

Magnetic and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out on PrMnSb2. Magnetization data in the temperature range of 5–400 K show two magnetic transitions: one at ∼175 K attributed to the antiferromagnetic ordering of the Mn moments, and the other at ∼35 K possibly due to the antiferromagnetic ordering of the Pr moments. The magnetization-field isotherms at various temperatures are consistent with the above. Neutron diffraction data obtained at various temperatures can be fitted with a nearly antiferromagnetically coupled Mn moment of ∼3μB at 70 K. At 10 K, moments both on Mn (∼3.5μB) and Pr (∼0.94μB) are ordered antiferromagnetically with small canting angles.