Itinerant ferromagnet Re_4-xMn_xGe_7- (x=0.9-1.5, =0.42-0.44) with incommensurate chimney-ladder structure stabilised at ambient pressure

Re4-xMnxGe7-& delta; (x = 0.9-1.5, & delta; = 0.42-0.44) is a new member of the Nowotny chimney-ladder family of compounds and features an incommensurate composite structure of transition element T (Re and Mn) and Ge substructures. Our theoretical calculations indicate metallic conductivity and ferromagnetic ordering, the latter being experimentally observed below 157 K.