Specific Features of Magnetic Phase Diagram of an MnSi Helimagnet

Abstract

Magnetization curves of MnSi single crystals have been measured in a range of temperatures $T = 5.5 - 35$ K and magnetic field strengths $H \leq 11$ kOe for $H \parallel$ [111], [001], and [110]. Special attention has been paid to the temperature interval near $T_N = 28.8$K, where MnSi exhibits a transition to the state with a long-period helical magnetic structure. Some new features in the magnetic behavior of MnSi have been found. In particular, in an intermediate temperature region above the transition (28.8 K $= T_N \leq T < 31.5$ K), the $dM(H)/dH$ curves exhibit anomalies that are not characteristic of the typical paramagnetic state. It is established that the line of the characteristic field $H^ \ast (T)$ of this anomaly is a natural extrapolation of the temperature dependence of the field of the transition from a conical phase to an induced ferromagnetic phase observed at $T < T_N$. It is concluded that the properties of MnSi in the indicated intermediate region are related to and governed by those of the conical phase (rather than of the A phase). Based on these data, magnetic phase diagrams of MnSi for $H \parallel$ [111], [001], and [110] are plotted and compared to diagrams obtained earlier by other methods.