Abstract: | DySBr and DySI – Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetism By reaction of Dy2S3 with Dy metal and Br2 (I2) at 750°C (900°C), single phase crystalline DySBr (DySI) has been synthesized. Crystal structure refinement of DySBr confirms the FeOCl-type structure (R = 0.049; space group Pmmn, Z = 2, lattice parameters (in Å): a = 5.349(2), b = 4.079(2), c = 8.066(2)) which is also ascertained for DySI (R = 0.059; lattice parameters (in Å): a = 5.320(2), b = 4.168(1), c = 9.224(5)). The magnetic susceptibilities (temperature range 3.4 K – 295 K) can be described on the basis of simple models (cubic crystal field, molecular field approximation) above 5 K and 15 K respectively. The deviations at low temperature are assumed to be related essentially to Dy—Dy exchange interactions which are not adequately described with the molecular field approach. |