Magneto-Elastic Coupling in a Sinusoidal Modulated Magnet Cr₂GaN

We use neutron powder diffraction to investigate the magnetic and crystalline structure of Cr$_2$GaN. A phase transition is identified at $T \approx 170$ K, whereas no trace structural observed down 6 K. Combining Rietveld refinement with irreducible representations, spin configuration Cr ions in Cr$_2$GaN depicted as an incommensurate sinusoidal modulated characterized by a propagating vector ${k}$=(0.365, 0.365, 0). Upon warming up paramagnetic state, order parameter closely resembles temperature dependence $c$-axis lattice parameter, suggesting strong magneto-elastic coupling this compound. Therefore, provides potential platform for exploration magnetically tuned properties such magnetoelectric, magnetostrictive magnetocaloric effects, well their applications.