Relating Structural Sensitivities and Helical Magnetic Order of MnSi

We relate and complement the structural sensitivities of a non-centrosymmetric B20 cubic chiral magnet MnSi in the vicinity of the magnetic transition using the combined results of temperature-dependent synchrotron x-ray diffraction, dc-magnetization, ac-susceptibility, specific heat and caloric measurements. MnSi is not found to undergo structural transformation down to 18 K. However, the lattice constant exhibits an anomaly at the long-range magnetic ordering temperature. The behavior of lattice constant in the vicinity of long-range ordering temperature is in line with the magnetic changes, indicating the latent heat contribution. The results will be correlated with the magnetic, caloric and transport properties. Our study suggests the vital role of lattice/crystal structure in determining the first order nature of the zero-field magnetic phase transition of MnSi.