Effect of Fe-doping on magnetic structures and “spin-lattice-charge” strong correlation properties in Mn₃Sn_1-xFe_xC compounds

The influences of Fe-doping on the magnetic structure, correlated lattice variation, and electronic transport of the antiperovskite compounds Mn₃Sn_1-xFe_xC have been reported for the first time. The results indicate that Fe-doping is effective in altering the magnetic behaviors in the Mn₃Sn_1-xFe_xC compounds. The magnetic phase transition point (T_C) initially shifts to lower temperatures at low Fe-doping concentrations and then increases to higher temperatures at higher Fe-doping levels. This change is accompanied by the development of macroscopic ferromagnetism in the compound, which is essentially due to the emergence of a new canted ferrimagnetic phase named M_CF, revealed by neutron powder diffraction (NPD). By virtue of the Fe-doping effect on the magnetism, the regulation of the negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior and the abrupt change of resistivity in Mn₃SnC are also realized. Based on these results, a magnetic phase diagram for the Mn₃Sn_1-xFe_xC series is established. This work not only provides a method for effective regulation of magnetic ordering but also strengthens our understanding of strongly correlated physical properties.