Uniaxial anisotropy and low-temperature antiferromagnetism of Mn2BO4 single crystal

The Mn2BO4 single crystals have been grown by the flux technique. A careful study of the crystal structure and magnetic properties have been carried out. The antiferromagnetic transition at TN=26K has been traced through the dc magnetization and specific heat temperature dependences. Magnetic uniaxial anisotropy has been found with easy axis magnetization lying in the ab-plane. The obtained value of effective magnetic moment is assigned to the non-quenched orbital moment of Jahn–Teller Mn3+ ions. The discussion of magnetic properties is based on the superexchange interaction calculations.