Magnetic Properties of Mn-Sb Multilayered Films

Mn-Sb multilayered films were prepared by the alternate vapor deposition method. MnSb is formed even at a substrate temperature of -100°C, demonstrating the extreme reactivity of Mn. A perfectly uniform ferromagnetic MnSb polycrystal was obtained when the Mn to Sb mole ratio was 1 : 1. When MnSb was in the equilibrium state, the most Sb-rich MnSb system compound was produced, and the reaction between Mn and Sb did not proceed beyond that point, demonstrating that it is possible to fabricate a multilayered film with a ferromagnetic ultrathin MnSb film sandwiched between Sb layers.