Elastic constants of ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{1\mathrm{-}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$Se: Tetrahedral bond weakening due to Mn 3d($t_2$)–Se 4p hybridization

We have made ultrasonic transit time measurements at 296 K on ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{1\mathrm{-}\mathrm{x}}$ ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$Se, with x=0.20, 0.37, and 0.53, which reveal that Mn causes elastic constant reductions indicating a decrease in structural stability due to hybridization of Mn 3d($t_2$) with Se 4p orbitals reducing the availability of the latter for tetrahedral bond formation. Comparison with previous results on ${\mathrm{Cd}}_{1\mathrm{-}\mathrm{x}}$ ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$Te reveals that elastic constant reduction is greater the larger the anion-mediated superexchange between Mn ions.