Magnetic Enhancement in Cobalt-Manganese Alloy Clusters

Abstract

Magnetic moments of Co(N)Mn(M) and Co(N)V(M) clusters (N < or = 60; M < or = N/3) are measured in molecular beams using the Stern-Gerlach deflection method. Surprisingly, the per atom average moments of Co(N)Mn(M) clusters are found to increase with Mn concentration, in contrast to bulk CoMn. The enhancement with Mn doping is found to be independent of cluster size and composition in the size range studied. Meanwhile, Co(N)V(M) clusters show reduction of average moments with increasing V doping, consistent with what is expected in bulk CoV. The results are discussed within the virtual bound states model.