Magnetic, heat capacity, and conductivity studies of ferrimagnetic MnCr2S4 single crystals

Abstract

Magnetization, ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), heat capacity, and electrical conductivity of MnCr2S4 spinel single crystals were investigated as a function of temperature and magnetic field. Two λ anomalies observed in the heat capacity correlate with magnetic phase transformations and their field dependence found in magnetization measurements. The upper λ anomaly at a temperature of ∼65 K marks the onset of ferrimagnetic ordering, while the lower one at ∼4.8 K indicates an additional antiferromagnetic ordering of the A(Mn) sublattice. Below the Curie temperature, magnetization, and FMR measurements revealed a positive magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The dominating role of the B(Cr) sublattice in generating this anisotropy is shown. © 2003 The American Physical Society.