Magnetic Order and Magnetic Inhomogeneities in SnCrTe-PbCrTe Solid Solutions.

We present the studies of structural, electrical and magnetic properties of bulk Sn_1−x−y Pb_xCr_yTe mixed crystals with chemical composition 0.18 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.35 and 0.007 ⩽ y ⩽ 0.071. The magnetometric studies indicate that for the high Cr-content, y = 0.071, the alloy shows ferromagnetic alignment with the Curie temperature, TC, around 265 K. The Cr5Te8 clusters are responsible for the ferromagnetic order. At low Cr content, y = 0.01, a peak in the ac magnetic susceptibility identified as the cluster-glass-like transition is observed at a temperature about 130 K. The cluster-glass-like transition is likely due to the presence of Cr₂Te₃ clusters in the samples with y ≈ 0.01. The transport characterization of the samples indicated strong metallic p-type conductivity with relatively high carrier concentration, n > 10²⁰ cm⁻³, and carrier mobility, μ > 150 cm²/(V s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]