Low-temperature properties of the semi-heusler compound CuMnSb

We report the magnetic field dependence of the magnetization, electrical resistivity, and specific heat of polycrystalline samples of the semi-Heusler metal CuMnSb at temperatures down to $1.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. Below ${T}_{N}=50\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ CuMnSb orders antiferromagnetically. Magnetic field up to $14\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{T}$ does not affect the antiferromagnetic state as inferred from these bulk properties. Our study identifies antiferromagnetic transition-metal semi-Heusler compounds with low magnetic ordering temperatures as a material class, where unusual properties emerge of large local moments coupled to the conduction electrons.