Lattice contraction and magnetic and electronic transport properties of Mn3Zn1−xGexN

The lattice and electronic and magnetic transport properties of the antiperovskite structure Mn3Zn1−xGexN compounds were investigated. For Mn3ZnN, there is a magnetic transition from antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic near 185K. Correspondingly, the resistivity shows an abrupt drop, but any sudden change of lattice parameters is not found. However, it is interesting that the partial substitution of Ge for Zn induces a lattice contraction near the magnetic transition temperature, where a drop of the resistivity remain, and the transition temperature point increases and the temperature range is broadened with increasing doped Ge contents. The thermodynamics properties were also investigated.