Structural and magnetic properties of(Fe1−xMnx)3P (x<0.25)

Structural and magnetic properties of $({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1-x}{\mathrm{Mn}}_x{)}_3\mathrm{P}$ compounds have been investigated by means of x-ray and neutron diffraction experiments, magnetization measurements, Mössbauer experiments, and first principles calculations. The Curie temperature of the system decreases linearly and rapidly with increasing Mn content. The zero temperature saturation magnetization, the local magnetic moments, as well as the hyperfine fields on the different metal positions of the system all decrease with increasing Mn content. The theoretical calculations, on the other hand, predict an increasing magnetic moment on the metal positions with increasing Mn content. This apparent discrepancy is discussed in the light of a good agreement between experimental and theoretical results for the Co-substituted sister compounds $({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1-x}{\mathrm{Co}}_x{)}_3\mathrm{P}.$