Neutron Diffraction Studies of the Compounds MnN and FeN

Abstract

The compounds MnN and FeN were prepared as single phase sample by DC reactive sputtering. The crystal structure of MnN is tetragonally distorted NaCl type and that of FeN is ZnS type. Temperature dependence of the neutron diffraction pattern on MnN was investigated. Analysis of the data shows that the magnetic structure of MnN consists of ferromagnetically aligned c -planes coupled antiferromagnetically in the c -direction. The magnetic moment of manganese atom extrapolated to 0 K was found to be 3.3µ B and lie in c -plane. The neutron diffraction measurements of the compound FeN were also carried out. The ZnS type FeN was concluded to be non-magnetic down to 2.2 K.