The spin-glass-like behavior in antiperovskite Mn3AgN

The Mn3AgN-based manganese nitrides have attracted continuous attention due to the interesting functional properties, which is closely correlated with the magnetic evolution coupling with structural and electrical order. However, the attention on the fundamental magnetic behavior of the Mn3AgN matrix is still insufficient up to now. Here, the magnetic properties of Mn3AgN have been investigated by comprehensive magnetic measurements including dc magnetization, ac susceptibility, and magnetic relaxation. The results show that Mn3AgN undergoes two magnetic transitions with decreasing temperature: the transition from paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic (AFM) state at ∼285 K and from AFM to spin-glass-like (SGL) state at ∼110 K. The SGL state is essentially a mixed magnetic state of weak short-range ferromagnetic order and spin glass, and its appearance should be related to the AFM configuration of Γ4g with ferromagnetic component. The unique low-temperature magnetic structure of Mn3AgN makes it exhibit interesting low temperatures magnetic behavior, such as the magnetic irreversibility phenomenon, magnetic relaxation behavior, and so on.