We investigated ternary MnAs1-xSbx thin films on GaAs (0 0 1) substrates by low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy under varying growth conditions, studying their crystal structures and magnetic properties. It was found that MnAs1-xSbx film with x = 0.2 seems to be lattice-matched to GaAs (0 0 1) substrates and is suitable for the growth of magnetic multilayers. We explored the possibility of growing magnetic MnSb/MnAs/MnAs1-xSbx multilayers on GaAs (0 0 1), and successfully prepared this kind of magnetic multilayer. We also report herein preliminary results regarding the magnetotransport properties of MnAs1-xSbx films in relation to the Sb content. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.