X-Ray and Magnetization Studies of Cr-ModifiedMn2Sb

The three magnetic states which occur in the Cr-modified ${\mathrm{Mn}}_2$Sb system have been studied by measurements of magnetization, torque, and x-ray lattice cell dimension on single crystals. The exchange inversion transitions between magnetic states for a given composition are shown by x ray to be first order. The field dependence of magnetization allows differentiation of the three magnetic states which exhibit ferrimagnetic, intermediate, and antiferromagnetic spin configurations. Torque and magnetization measurements show that for both the ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic states there is a change from positive to negative uniaxial anisotropy with decreasing temperature.