Magnetic order and electronic transport properties in the Mn$_3$Al compound: the role of the structural state

Abstract

Electronic transport and magnetic properties of bulk and rapid melt quenched samples of the Mn$_3$Al Heusler alloy were studied. A correlation between the magnetic and structural states was established. For a cast sample, there is no ferromagnetic moment, and the behavior of the magnetic susceptibility (break at low temperatures and the Curie-Weiss law with high values of the paramagnetic Curie temperature) indicates a frustrated antiferromagnetic state. At the same time, for a rapid melt quenched sample, a ferrimagnetic state is observed with a moment close to compensation. The results of measurements of the electrical resistivity and the Hall effect evidence as well in favor of the implementation of these magnetic states.