Neutron diffraction study of magnetic ordering in PrCu2Si2, PrCu2Ge2, PrFe2Ge2 and NdFe2Ge2

A neutron diffraction study of polycrystalline PrCu₂Si₂ [1], PrCu₂Ge₂ [2], PrFe₂Ge₂ [3] and NdFe₂Ge₂ [4] intermetallics carried out at liquid helium temperature shows the presence of a collinear antiferromagnetic order below T_N = 19 ± 1 K [1], T_N = 16 ± 1 K [2], T_N = 9 ± 1 K [3] and 13 ± 1 K [4]. Magnetic moment, parallel to the c-axis is localized on RE ions only. The magnetic structure of these compounds consists of ferromagnetic layers perpendicular to the c-axis coupled antiferromagnetically with sequence +-+- for PrCu₂Si₂ and PrCu₂Ge₂ and +--+ for PrFe₂Ge₂ and NdFe₂Ge₂. The RE moments amount close to the free ion values for Fe containing compounds but are smaller in those containing Cu suggesting a fairly strong influence of crystal field.     

Magnetic properties of NdCo2Ge2, ErCo2Ge2 and PrFe2Ge2 compounds

Magnetometric and neutron diffraction studies of polycrystalline NdCo₂GE₂, ErCo₂Ge₂ and PrFe₂Ge₂ compounds were carried out in the temperature range between 4.2 and 300 K. All samples are antiferromagnetic with Néel temperature 26.5, ～ 4.2 and 13 K, respectively. The RECo₂Ge₂ compounds have collinear antiferromagnetic order of +?+? type. For PrFe₂Ge₂ a sinusoidal magnetic structure is observed. Magnetic moment is localized on RE atoms only and is equal to that of RE³⁺ free ion value. In ErCo₂Ge₂ the magnetic moment of Er atoms is perpendicular to the c-axis, whereas for remaining compounds it is parallel to the c-axis.     

Magnetic properties of NdAu2Ge2

Physical properties of NdAu₂Ge₂, crystallising with the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type crystal structure, were investigated by means of magnetic, calorimetric and electrical transport measurements as well as by neutron diffraction. The compound exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N=4.5 K with a collinear magnetic structure of the AFI-type. The neodymium magnetic moments are parallel to the c-axis and amount to 1.04(4) μ_B at 1.5 K. The observed magnetic behaviour is strongly influenced by crystalline electric field effect.     

XPS study of U,UNi5, UCu5 and UNi0.5Cu4.5

Core and valence band spectra of U metal and the intermetallic compounds UNi₅, UCu₅ and UNi_0.5Cu_4.5 have been measured by X-ray excited photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The data indicate that in UNi₅ the configuration is 5f³, and in UCu₅ and Uni_0.5Cu_4.5 a mixed valence configuration with fewer 5f electrons than in UNi₅ is present.     

Neutron diffraction study of RECo2Si2 intermetallics

A neutron diffraction study of polycrystalline RECo₂Si₂ intermetallics (RE = Pr, Nd, Tb, Ho, Er) carried out at liquid helium temperature shows the presence of a collinear antiferromagnetic ordering of +?+? type. Magnetic moment is localized on RE ions only and amounts to the RE³⁺ free ion value. In ErCo₂Si₂ the magnetic moment is normal to the tetragonal unique axis, whereas in the remaining compounds the magnetic moment is aligned along it. Néel points were determined from the temperature dependence of magnetic peak heights.     

Magnetic phase transition in TbMn2Ge2

The crystal and magnetic stucture of TbMn₂Ge₂ are determined by neutron diffraction using a powder sample. The crystal structure of this compound is of the ThCr₂Si₂ type with small mixing of Mn and Ge atoms between 4(d) and 4(e) positions. At RT the antiferromagnetic collinear structure consist of a+?+? sequence of ferromagnetic layers of Mn atoms with the magnetic moment parallel to the c-axis. At 85 K, the ferromagnetic ordering within the Tb sublattice is observed. The magnetic moment (～7.7 μ_B) is parallel to the c-axis. At 4.2 K additional reflections are observed, which correspond to antiferromagnetic components in a monoclinic unit cell.     

Crystals and magnetic structure of RMn2Si2 (R = Pr, Nd, Y) and YMn2Ge2

Crystallographic and magnetic properties of PrMn₂Si₂, NdMn₂Si₂, YMn₂Si₂ and YMn₂Ge₂ intermetallics were studied by X-ray, neutron diffraction and magnetometric measurements. The crystal structure of all four compounds was confirmed to be body-centered tetragonal (space group I4/mmm). All were found to be antiferromagnetic with Néel points at 368, 380, 460 and 395 K respectively. Neutron diffraction results indicate that their magnetic structure consists of ferromagnetic layers composed of Mn ions piled up along the c-axis. Each layer is antiferromagnetically coupled to adjacent layer. The magnetic space group is I_p4/m′m′m′. No magnetic ordering of the R sublattice was observed at 1.8 K in the case of R = Pr and Nd.     

Direct evidence for the magnetic ordering of Nd ions in NdMn2Si2 and NdMn2Ge2 by high resolution inelastic neutron scattering

We have investigated the low energy nuclear spin excitations in NdMn₂Si₂ and NdMn₂Ge₂ by high resolution inelastic neutron scattering. Previous neutron diffraction investigations gave ambiguous results about Nd magnetic ordering at low temperatures. The present element-specific technique gave direct evidence for the magnetic ordering of Nd ions. We found considerable difference in the process of the Nd magnetic ordering at low temperature in NdMn₂Si₂ and NdMn₂Ge₂. Our results are consistent with those of magnetization and recent neutron diffraction measurements.     

Magnetic properties of the Ce1-xLaxMn2Si2 system

Magnetic properties of the Ce_1-xLa_xMn₂Si₂ system were investigated by means of neutron diffraction and magnetometry. The samples with low La concentration (x?0.5) have antiferromagnetic properties. A transition from an antiferromagnetic to a ferromagnetic state can be observed for x=0.6 (for increasing temperature). More La leads to the samples being ferromagnetic. A collinear magnetic structure is seen from the neutron diffraction spectra. From all the results known up to now it follows, that type of magnetic ordering, i.e. antiferro- or ferro-depends on the Mn-Mn interatomic distances in the basal plane.     

Giant magnetocaloric effect in the Gd5Ge2.025Si1.925In0.05 compound

The magnetocaloric properties of the Gd 5 Ge 2.025 Si 1.925 In 0.05 compound have been studied by x-ray diffraction,magnetic and heat capacity measurements.Powder x-ray diffraction measurement shows that the compound has a dominant phase of monoclinic Gd5Ge2Si2-type structure and a small quantity of Gd 5(Ge,Si) 3-type phase at room temperature.At about 270 K,this compound shows a first order phase transition.The isothermal magnetic entropy change(△SM) is calculated from the temperature and magnetic field dependences of the magnetization and the temperature dependence of MCE in terms of adiabatic temperature change(△Tad) is calculated from the isothermal magnetic entropy change and the temperature variation in zero-field heat-capacity data.The maximum S M is 13.6 J·kg-1·K-1 and maximum △Tad is 13 K for the magnetic field change of 0-5 T.The Debye temperature(θD) of this compound is 149 K and the value of DOS at the Fermi level is 1.6 states/eV·atom from the low temperature zero-field heat-capacity data.A considerable isothermal magnetic entropy change and adiabatic temperature change under a field change of 0-5 T jointly make the Gd5Ge2.025Si1.925 In 0.05 compound an attractive candidate for a magnetic refrigerant.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of HoPt2Si2

The crystal structure of HoPt₂Si₂ was determined using powder neutron diffraction data. It is tetragonal, CaBe₂Ge₂ type (space group P4/_n mm). Neutron diffraction and magnetometric measurements indicate that HoPt₂Si₂ remains paramagnetic at the temperature of 2.0 K.     

Magnetic ground state of UCu2X2 (X=Si,Ge) from first principles

The electronic and magnetic structures of UCu₂X₂ germanide and silicide are revisited in view of existing controversy from experimental findings. From self-consistent calculations carried out within the local spin density functional theory using the augmented spherical wave method, the ground state is found to be ferromagnetic within simple and super cell setups. An analysis of the density of states and the chemical bonding shows the dominant role of Cu₂Ge₂-nearly planar like entities within the crystal lattice.     

Search for a spin glass state in PrAu2Si2 by μSR

μSR spectroscopy down to 40 mK was carried out on PrAu₂Si₂. This compound and heavy fermion URh₂Ge₂ are the only stoichiometric spin glasses reported among the tetragonal FT₂X₂ (F=rare earth or actinide, T=transition metal, X=metalloid) materials. Although bulk measurements on PrAu₂Si₂ exhibit all the typical features of a canonical spin glass with a freezing temperature of ∼3 K, no evidence for the formation of a frozen spin-glass state was found with μSR. Instead, the data clearly demonstrate that the magnetic moments in PrAu₂Si₂ remain dynamic down to the lowest temperatures. The discrepancy between these observed dynamics and the spin-glass-like response in bulk measurements is not understood. Analogous measurements on PrAu₂Ge₂ and PrAu₂(Ge_0.8Si_0.2)₂ showed the expected antiferromagnetic signals, demonstrating that in this type of alloy muons detect magnetic properties in the usual manner.     

Magnetocaloric effect in high-energy ball-milled Gd5Si2Ge2 and Gd5Si2Ge2/Fe nanopowders

Evolution of structure and magnetocaloric properties in ball-milled Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ and Gd₅Si₂Ge₂/0.1 wt% Fe nanostructured powders were investigated. The high-energy ball-milled powders were composed of very fine grains (70–80 nm). Magnetization decreased with milling time due to decrease in the grain size and randomization of the magnetic moments at the surface. The magnetic entropy change (ΔS_M) was calculated from the isothermal magnetization curves and a maximum value of 0.45 J/kg K was obtained for 32 h milled Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ alloy powder for a magnetic field change of 2 T while it was still low in Fe-contained alloy powders. The thermo-magnetic measurements revealed that the milled powders display distribution of magnetic transitions, which is desirable for practical magnetic refrigerant to cover a wide temperature span.     

Effect of Fe-substitution on microstructure, hysteresis behaviour and magnetocaloric effect in Gd5Si2Ge2 Alloys

Effect of Fe-substitution on the phase formation, partitioning behaviour of Fe in the co-existing phases, magneto-structural transition, magnetic entropy change and associated hysteresis losses has been investigated in Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ alloy. The virgin alloy crystallizes in monoclinic Gd₅Si₂Ge₂-type phase, while Fe-substituted alloys form mixed monoclinic Gd₅Si₂Ge₂-type and orthorhombic Gd₅Si₄-type phases. Electron probe microanalysis reveals that Fe does not dissolve in the matrix, but influences the magneto-structural transitions. Magneto-structural characterization of the Fe-containing alloys reveals that the Fe-substitution suppresses the structural transition observed at 273 K in virgin alloy. A maximum magnetic entropy change, ΔS_M of 6.5 J/kg-K at 273 K was observed for a field change of 2 T in Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ alloy. The Fe-substituted alloys exhibit lower value of ΔS_M but with reduced hysteresis losses.     

Magnetic structure of the La3NiGe2-type Tb3NiGe2 and Mn5Si3-type Tb5NixGe3−x (x=0 and 0.3)

We present a neutron powder diffraction investigation of the magnetic structure of La₃NiGe₂-type Tb₃NiGe₂ and Mn₅Si₃-type Tb₅Ni_xGe_3−x (x=0, 0.3) compounds. It is found that below∼135 K Tb₃NiGe₂ exhibits a commensurate b-collinear ferrimagnetic ordering with C_2h′={1, m_z, 1′×2_z, 1′×1?} magnetic point group. The Mn₅Si₃-type Tb₅Ge₃ and Tb₅Ni_0.3Ge_2.7 compounds are found to present a flat spiral type antiferromagnetic ordering at 85 and ≥89 K, respectively. The Ni for Ge substitution is found to decrease the flat spiral ordered magnetic unit cell from a×a×40c of Tb₅Ge₃ (below 40 K) down to a×a×5c for Tb₅Ni_0.3Ge_2.7 (below ∼10 K).     

Magnetic properties of the compounds ThCO2Ge2 and ThCo2Si2

Rather old preparation of the compounds ThCo₂Ge₂ and ThCo₂Si₂ and their magnetic study in the temperature range 100–570 K, published by Omejec and Ban [Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 380 (1971) 111], indicated that both compounds ordered ferrromagnetically below 100 K. In order to verify the old data, polycrystalline samples of ThCo₂Ge₂ and ThCo₂Si₂ have been prepared by arc melting and subsequent annealing, and studied by X-ray diffraction at room temperature (RT), by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-magnetization and AC-susceptibility measurements at 2–320 K, and by dc-magnetization measurements in variable magnetic fields up to 120 kOe at 5, 80, and 283 K. The magnetic measurements confirm the ferromagnetic ordering in both compounds, but with totally different Curie temperatures: ≈120(20) K for ThCo₂Ge₂ and above 320 K for ThCo₂Si₂. The paramagnetic values of ThCo₂Ge₂ and the ordering of both compounds are discussed and compared with the old results of Omejec and Ban.     

The antiferromagnetic structure of ErCo2Si2 by neutron diffraction

The magnetic structure of the tetragonal ErCo₂Si₂ compound is determined by neutron diffraction on powder sample at 4.2 K. The magnetic ordering is connected with a symmetry lowering, magnetic space group P_2s$\text{1}$ (Sh⁷₂)k = 000. The structure is collinear antiferromagnetic with the erbium magnetic moments making an angle of 56.2° with the c axis. The magnetic moment value for erbium is 6.75μ_B.     

Reinvestigation of the magnetic structure of Ca3Mn2Ge3O12

Precise neutron diffraction experiments performed on powdered antiferromagnetic garnet Ca₃Mn₂Ge₃O₁₂ lead to a complex non collinear magnetic structure. In the absence of magnetic field, it is three dimensional with eight spin directions and belongs to ¹I_41/a. At a critical magnetic field spin-flop mechanism occurs with a lowering of the magnetic symmetry which becomes triclinic. In addition to tetragonal anisotropy, both single ion orthorhombic anisotropy and its antisymmetrical counterpart for definite pairs of ions are required to explain both the observed structure and its behaviour in a magnetic field.     

A magnetic study of the ThCr2Si2-type RPd2Ge2 (R=Pr, Nd) compounds. Magnetic structure of PrPd2Ge2 from powder neutron diffraction

The magnetic properties of the PrPd₂Ge₂ and NdPd₂Ge₂ compounds have been investigated by magnetic measurements, specific heat measurements and neutron diffraction experiments. The PrPd₂Ge₂ compound orders antiferromagnetically below T_N=5.0(2) with an original modulated magnetic structure characterized by a magnetic cell three times larger than the chemical one by tripling of the c parameter. The palladium atom is non magnetic and the Pr moments are parallel to the c-axis with a value of ≈2.0 μ_B at 2 K. The specific heat measurements clearly detect a low temperature transition for the NdPd₂Ge₂ compound, interpreted as a Nd sublattice antiferromagnetic ordering below 1.3(2) K.