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Short-range spin order and frustrated magnetism in Mn2InSbO6 and Mn2ScSbO6

The complex metal oxides Mn2ASbO6 (A=In, Sc) with a corundum-related structure A3BO6 have been prepared as polycrystalline powders by a solid state reaction route. The crystal structure and magnetic properties have been investigated using a combination of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron microscopy, calorimetric and magnetic measurements. At room temperature these compounds adopt a trigonal structure, space group R-3 with a = 8.9313(1) Å, c = 10.7071(2) Å (for In) and a = 8.8836(1) Å, c = 10.6168(2) Å (for Sc) which persists down to 1.6 K. The Mn and A cations were found to be randomly distributed over the A-sites. The overall behavior of the magnetization of Mn2InSbO6 and Mn2ScSbO6 is quite similar. In spite of the relatively large amount of Mn ions on the A-site, only short-ranged magnetism is observed. Neutron diffraction patterns of Mn2InSbO6 showed no evidence of a long-range magnetic ordering at 1.6 K, instead only a weak diffuse magnetic peak was observed at low temperatures. The factors governing the observed structural and magnetic properties of Mn2ASbO6 are discussed and compared with those of other Mn-containing complex metal oxides with a corundum-related structure. The influence of the A-cation sublattice on magnetic properties is also considered.