Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-03812

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Crystal structure of MnN resolved using x-ray absorption fine structure

Kumar, Y.Extern* ; Kalal, S.Extern* ; Tayal, A.DESY* ; Gupta, M. (Corresponding author)Extern*

2025
Elsevier Lausanne

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.182507  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-03812

Abstract: The potential of manganese mononitride (MnN) as an antiferromagnetic material for exchange bias applications is significant, yet its crystal structure is a subject of ongoing debate. Early 3 transition metal mononitrides, such as TiN, and VN, are well-known to crystallize in the rock salt (RS) structure, whereas later ones, like CoN and FeN, favor the zinc blende (ZB) structure. The structural ambiguity of MnN, positioned midway in the 3 series, necessitates further investigation. This study employs a comprehensive x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis to clarify the crystal structure of MnN. Single-phase MnN thin films, produced by reactive magnetron sputtering, are characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). XRD data indicates the successful formation of the MnN phase during the reactive nitrogen sputtering of Mn. By analyzing XANES spectra at the Mn K and L-edges, as well as the N K-edge, and combining the results with EXAFS analysis, this study concludes that MnN crystallizes in the RS structure. The sensitivity of the metal K-edge XANES pre-edge peak to local coordination symmetry is crucial in this determination.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)
2. FS DOOR-User (FS DOOR-User)
3. Experimentebetreuung PETRA III (FS-PET-S)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
3. INDIA-DESY - INDIA-DESY Collaboration (2020_Join2-INDIA-DESY) (2020_Join2-INDIA-DESY)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P64 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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