High-resolution crystallography: Investigating a new permanent magnet

When high resolution matters: Cu Kα₁ radiation data reveal subtle structural changes in MnBi

Oxford PheniX

Permanent magnets are everywhere in our daily life: on our fridge, in our televisions, telephones, computers, audio systems or automobiles. The technology is already very well developed and many materials including SmCo and Nd₂Fe₁₄B have been investigated. So why try to find new materials?

Here we present a detailed investigation of the crystal structure of MnBi, one of the most promising future rare earth-free materials for applications as a permanent magnet. Full details of the investigation are published by McGuire et al. Following is a summary of their findings plus some additional results demonstrating the powerfulness of the use of Kα₁ radiation