Physical properties of the weak itinerant ferromagnet CoVSb and related semi-Heusler compounds

CoVSb is a weak itinerant ferromagnet with one electron in the conduction band. Its physical properties (magnetization, resistivity, Hall effect, thermopower, pressure dependence of resistivity, ESR) and its electronic structure calculated by the KKR method are compared to those of some other semi-Heusler phases with semiconducting or metallic behaviour. It appears that the largest magnetic moment is borne by vanadium atoms. The Curie temperature is mainly related to Stoner-like excitations, even if spin fluctuations play an important role as revealed by the resistivity and ESR data. The problem of the atomic disorder between transition metals is discussed.