The spatial and temporal correlations of magnetic moments in the paramagnetic regime of (Mn,Fe)2(P,Si) have been investigated by means of polarized neutron diffraction and muon-spin relaxation techniques. Short-range magnetic correlations are present at temperatures far above the ferromagnetic transition temperature (TC). This leads to deviations of paramagnetic susceptibility from Curie-Weiss behavior. These short-range magnetic correlations extend in space, slow down with decreasing temperature, and finally develop into long-range magnetic order at TC.

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The longitudinal-field muon-spin relaxation (LF-μSR) technique was employed to study the spin correlations in (Mn,Fe)2(P,Si) compounds above the ferromagnetic transition temperature (TC). The (Mn,Fe)2(P,Si) compound under study is found to show itinerant magnetism. The standard deviation of the magnetic field distribution of electronic origin increases with a decrease in temperature, which is attributed to the development of spin correlations. The anomalously low magnetic fluctuation rate is suggested to be another signature of the spin correlations. The development of pronounced magnetic fluctuations is in agreement with the observed deviation of the paramagnetic susceptibility from Curie–Weiss behavior. Our study sheds light on the magneto-elastic transition and the mixed magnetism in (Mn,Fe)2(P,Si) compounds.@en