Magnetic and transport properties of Mn2FeAl

Experimental studies of polycrystalline Mn₂FeAl revealed that it crystallizes in a primitive cubic structure of β-Mn type (space group P4₁32) and is an antiferromagnet with Néel temperature T_N = 40 K. The alloy exhibits temperature dependence of transport properties typical for semiconductors and has abnormally high electrical resistivity (ρ ∼ 238 μΩ·cm at room temperature). High Curie-Weiss temperature Θ_CW ∼ –905 K and a large value of the frustration parameter ƒ ≈ 23 points to a strong frustration of the magnetic subsystem. These experimental findings are in contrast with reported results of first-principles calculations which predicted Mn₂FeAl to be half metallic ferrimagnet crystallizing in the Heusler crystal structure.