Magnetic Structure of MnP

Abstract

Neutron diffraction measurements confirm that MnP is ferromagnetic between 50° and 291°K, with 1.3 μB/Mn atom directed along [001] of the orthorhombic Pbnm cell. Previous measurements at low temperatures indicated that the compound was metamagnetic; neutron diffraction measurements in zero magnetic field reveal a modulated structure in which ferromagnetically coupled pairs of Mn spins are arranged in a spiral whose axis of propagation and rotation is [100]. A preliminary account is given of the magnetic behavior of the compound at the metamagnetic-ferromagnetic transition point.