Incommensurate magnetism in K${}_2$MnS${}_{2-x}$Se${}_x$ and prospects for tunable frustration in a triangular lattice of pseudo-1D spin chains

Abstract

We report the first detailed investigation of K${}_2$MnS${}_2$ and K${}_2$MnSe${}_2$ from the K${}_2$MnS${}_2$ structure type and their magnetic solid solution K${}_2$MnS${}_{2-x}$Se${}_x$ and find that compounds of this structure type consist of strongly-coupled pseudo-one-dimensional antiferromagnetic chains that collectively represent a frustrated two-dimensional triangular antiferromagnet. Bulk samples of K${}_2$MnS${}_{2-x}$Se${}_x$ with $0\le x\le 2$ are characterized using X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, magnetization and heat capacity measurements. An incommensurate cycloid magnetic structure with a magnetic propagation vector $k=[0.5801]$ is observed for all samples in K${}_2$MnS${}_{2-x}$Se${}_x$, and the ordering is robust despite a 12\% increase in cell volume. Geometric frustration of chains results in incommensurability along $a$ and a two-step magnetic transition. The varying geometries accessible in compounds of this structure type are presented as promising avenues to tune frustration.

arXiv comment8 pages, 11 figures

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