Fragile balance of the exchange interactions in Mn${}_{1-x}$Co${}_x$Ge compounds

Abstract

The magnetic system of the pseudobinary compound Mn${}_{1-x}$Co${}_x$Ge has been studied using small-angle neutron scattering and SQUID-measurements. It is found that Mn${}_{1-x}$Co${}_x$Ge orders magnetically at low temperatures in the whole concentration range of $x\in [0\tilde{A}\cdot 0.9]$. Three different states of the magnetic structure have been found: a short-periodic helical state at $x\le 0.45$, a long-periodic helical state at $0.45<x\le 0.8$, and a ferromagnetic state at $x\sim 0.9$. Taking into account that the relatively large helical wavevector $k\gg 1$ nm${}^{-1}$ is characteristic for systems with mainly Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yoshida (RKKY) interaction, we suggest that the short-periodic helical structure at $x\le 0.45$ is based on an effective RKKY interaction. Also the decay of $k$ with increasing $x$ is ascribed to a reduction of the interaction between second nearest neighbors and, therefore, to an increase of the influence of the Dzyaloshinskiy-Moriya interaction (DMI). As a result of the competition between these two interactions the quantum phase transition from a long-range ordered (LRO) to a short-range ordered (SRO) helical structure has been observed upon increase of the Co-concentration at $x_{c1}\sim 0.25$. Further increase of $x$ leads to the appearance of a double peak in the scattering profile at $0.45<x<0.7$. The transition from a helical structure to a ferromagnetic state found at $x=0.9$ is caused by the weakening of DMI as compared to the cubic anisotropy. In summary, the evolution of the magnetic structure of Mn${}_{1-x}$Co${}_x$Ge with increasing $x$ is an example of a continuous transition from a helical structure based on the effective RKKY interaction to a ferromagnetic structure passing through a helical structure based on DMI.

8 pages, 10 figures