  In this article, we review the recent progress in growth, structural
characterization, magnetic properties and related spintronic devices of
tetragonal MnxGa and MnxAl thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.
In the first part of this review, we present a brief introduction to the
demands for perpendicularly magnetized materials in spintronics, magnetic
recording and permanent magnets applications, and the most promising candidates
of tetragonal MnxGa and MnxAl with strong perpendicular anisotropy. Then, in
the second and third parts, we focus on the recent progress of perpendicularly
magnetized MnxGa and MnxAl, respectively, including their lattice structures,
bulk synthesis, epitaxial growth, structural chracterizations, magnetic and
other spin-dependent properties, and spintronic devices like magnetic tunneling
junctions, spin valves and spin injector into semiconductors. Finally, we give
a summary and a perspective of these perpendicularly magnetized Mn-based binary
alloy films for future applications.
