Magnetic and Magneto-optical properties of Heusler alloys of the type Ni3-xMnxSn

The crystallographic, magnetic and magneto-optical properties of Heusler compounds of the type Ni_3-xMn_xSn were investigated. The thermal expansion behaviour of a limited number of these compounds was also studied. The cubic L2₁ structure was found to exist in the range 0.6 x 2.2. With increasing x the saturation moment first increases, then decreases again. The main peak in the Kerr rotation spectra measured in the energy range 0.5-4.5 eV shows a similar trend. The Curie temperature and the lattice constant increase with x, both quantities showing a discontinuity near x = 1. All these features are discussed in terms of relative site occupancies of the Mn atoms at the tetrahedral and octahedral sites in the L2₁ structure.