Magnetic order of Mn5Si3-type Tb5Sb3 and Tb5Si1.5Sb1.5

Neutron diffraction study has been performed on the Tb₅Sb₃ and Tb₅Si_1.5Sb_1.5 compounds (hexagonal Mn₅Si₃-type, hP16, P6₃/mcm) to understand their magnetic structures. The temperature dependence of neutron diffraction results proves that these intermetallics show a complex magnetic ordering. The Tb₅Sb₃ presents five subsequent changes in magnetic structure at ∼150, 119, 85, 70 and 54 K on cooling: paramagnet→antiferromagnetic flat spiral→ferromagnetic cone→antiferromagnetically canted ferromagnetic cone→canted AF→sine modulated AF. The Tb₅Si_1.5Sb_1.5 shows two subsequent changes in magnetic structure at 123 and 66 K: paramagnet→sine modulated antiferromagnet I→sine modulated antiferromagnet II. The Tb₅Si₃, Tb₅Sb₃ and Tb₅Si_1.5Sb_1.5 have the different magnetic structure in the full temperature range.     

Magnetic structure of the Sm5Ge4-type Tb2Ti3Ge4

The orthorhombic Sm₅Ge₄-type Tb₂Ti₃Ge₄ shows square modulated non-collinear magnetic ordering with wave vector K=[±1/3, 1/2, 1/2] at 2 K. The terbium magnetic moments lie in the bc plane and magnetic moment value of 7.5(2) μ_B/Tb is obtained at 2 K.     

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).     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of TbFe0.4Ge2 compound

Neutron diffraction and magnetic measurements were performed on polycrystalline TbFe_0.4Ge₂ which crystallizes with the orthorhombic structure of the CeNiSi₂-type. Despite the presence of some clear anomalies in the low-temperature magnetic susceptibility, the neutron diffraction experiment did not reveal any long-range magnetic ordering of the Tb magnetic moments down to 1.57 K.     

Magnetic structures of R3Cu4Si4 (R=Dy, Ho and Er)

Polycrystalline samples of R₃Cu₄Si₄ (R=Dy, Ho, Er) intermetallics were studied with neutron diffraction methods. All of them crystallize in the orthorhombic structure of Gd₃Cu₄Ge₄-type and order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures. Magnetic moments localized at the rare earth atoms, that occupy two non-equivalent 2d and 4e sublattices, order simultaneously in Dy₃Cu₄Si₄. The order is described by the propagation vector accompanied by , δ=0.025(2). In Ho₃Cu₄Si₄ two propagation vectors are needed to model the magnetic order. These are: for the 4e sublattice, which disorders as the first when the temperature increases, and for the 2d sublattice. A similar situation is observed for Er₃Cu₄Si₄ where the propagation vectors are: k=(0,1−δ,0), δ=0.097(2) for the 4e sublattice, which disorders as the first with increasing temperature, and , δ=0.0015(6) for the 2d sublattice.     

The magnetic structure of the compound Ho5Sb3

We have investigated the magnetic behavior of Ho₅Sb₃ compound (Mn₅Si₃-type, hexagonal; a=0.8865(1) nm, c=0.6232(1) nm, as derived from X-ray Guinier powder pattern) by using the techniques of magnetization, electrical resistivity, heat capacity and neutron diffraction. We find that Ho₅Sb₃ exhibits a ferrimagnetic type (Ferrimagnet I) ordering below 60 K with propagation vectors K₀=[0, 0, 1] and K₁=[±K_x, 0, 0]. Below 40 K, the thermal variation of magnetic reflections and the appearance of an additional magnetic component with propagation vector K₂=[0, 1/2, 0] show the onset of an antiferromagnetic type of ordering in the magnetic structure; which evolves into yet another ferrimagnetic structure (Ferrimagnet II) as the temperature is lowered down to 2 K. The magnetic moments of the Ho atoms at the (4d) and (6g) sites with magnitudes of nearly 7.4 and 6.3 μ_B at 2 K, respectively, are inclined approximately at 70° to the c-axis.     

Magnetic properties of the intermetallic compound Ce5Ge4

Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the compound Ce₅Ge₄ have been studied. This compound has orthorhombic Sm₅Ge₄-type structure (space group Pnma, no. 62) and orders ferromagnetically at ~12 K (T_C). The paramagnetic Curie temperature is ~−20 K suggesting the presence of competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in this compound. The magnetization does not seem to saturate even in fields of 90 kOe at 3 K consistent with the presence of competing interactions. Saturation magnetization value (extrapolated to 1/H→0) of only 0.8μ_B/Ce³⁺ is obtained compared to the free ion value of 2.14μ_B/Ce³⁺. This moment reduction in the ordered state of Ce₅Ge₄ could be due to partial antiferromagnetic/paramagnetic ordering of the Ce moments and may also be due to crystalline electric field effects. Magnetic entropy change near T_C, calculated from the magnetization vs. field data, is found to be moderate with a maximum value of ~9 J/kg/K at ~11 K for a field change of 90 kOe.     

Magnetic structure of TmCu2Ge2

TmCu₂Ge₂ compound crystallizes in the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type crystal structure. The neutron diffraction reveals the presence of an incommensurate antiferromagnetic order below T_N=2.5 K. The Tm magnetic moment of 5.0(1) μ_B at 0.47 K is parallel to the c-axis. The order is described by the propagation vector k=[k_x, k_x, 0], where k_x=0.117(3). The increase of the values of the components k_x near the Néel temperature is observed.     

Magnetostructural phase transitions of DyFe4Ge2: Part II Neutron diffraction

We present the temperature magnetic phase diagram of the compound DyFe₄Ge₂ determined from neutron diffraction data for the entire magnetically ordered regime. DyFe₄Ge₂ undergoes at a simultaneous structural and magnetic transition of second order (or weakly first order) followed by two subsequent isostructural first-order magnetic transitions at and T_ic1=28K:

The re-entrant lock-in magnetic phase is stable in the high-temperature range T_ic2–T_N and in the low-temperature range 1.5 K–T_ic1 while the incommensurately modulated magnetic phase is sandwiched in the intermediate range T_ic1–T_ic2 between the two commensurate phases. The wave vector q₂ has a temperature-dependent length with a minimum in the middle of the incommensurate range and corresponds to a multiaxial amplitude modulated phase. Symmetry analysis leads for both propagation vectors in Cmmm to a twofold and fourfold splitting of the tetragonal Dy 2b site and the Fe 8i sites, respectively. The low temperature and the phases correspond to 3D canted magnetic structures described by the irreducible representations (Irreps) Γ₂+Γ₃ while the high-temperature q₁ phase to 2D canted magnetic structures described by a single Irrep Γ₂. The T_ic2 transition is connected with reorientations of both Fe and Dy moments.     

Magnetic Properties and magnetic phase diagrams of intermetallic compound GdMn2Ge2

A modified Yafet－Kittle model is applied to investigate the magnetic properties and magnetic phase transition of the intermetallic compound GdMn_2Ge_2. Theoretical analysis and calculation show that there are five possible magnetic structures in GdMn_2Ge_2. Variations of external magnetic field and temperature give rise to the first-order or second-order magnetic transitions from one phase to another. Based on this model, the magnetic curves of GdMn_2Ge_2 single crystals at different temperatures are calculated and a good agreement with experimental data has obtained. Based on the calculation, the H－T magnetic phase diagrams of GdMn_2Ge_2 are depicted. The Gd－Gd, Gd－Mn, intralayer Mn－Mn and interlayer Mn－Mn exchange coupling parameters are estimated. It is shown that, in order to describe the magnetic properties of GdMn_2Ge_2, the lattice constant and temperature dependence of interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction must be taken into account.     

Magnetic characterization of Mn5SiB2 and Mn5Si3 phases

In this work the Mn₅Si₃ and Mn₅SiB₂ phases were produced via arc melting and heat treatment at 1000 °C for 50 h under argon. A detailed microstructure characterization indicated the formation of single-phase Mn₅Si₃ and near single-phase Mn₅SiB₂ microstructures. The magnetic behavior of the Mn₅Si₃ phase was investigated and the results are in agreement with previous data from the literature, which indicates the existence of two anti-ferromagnetic structures for temperatures below 98 K. The Mn₅SiB₂ phase shows a ferromagnetic behavior presenting a saturation magnetization M_s of about 5.35×10⁵ A/m (0.67 T) at room temperature and an estimated Curie temperature between 470 and 490 K. In addition, AC susceptibility data indicates no evidence of any other magnetic ordering in 4-300 K temperature range. The magnetization values are smaller than that calculated using the magnetic moment from previous literature NMR results. This result suggests a probable ferrimagnetic arrangement of the Mn moments.     

Magnetic and crystallographic study of Tb0.75Y0.25Co3B2

Tb_0.75Y_0.25Co₃B₂ was studied as a function of temperature by neutron powder diffraction, ac susceptibility and SQUID magnetization measurements. The solid solution, which is of hexagonal symmetry and is paramagnetic at 300 K, undergoes a magnetic Co–Co ordering transition at ∼150 K, and a second magnetic Tb–Tb ordering transition at ∼17 K. The latter induces a spin-reorientation transition, in which the magnetic axis rotates from the c-axis toward the basal plane. The component of the magnetic axis, which is perpendicular to c, leads to a crystal symmetry reduction from hexagonal to monoclinic. The observed magnitude of the magnetic moment of the Tb ion is 1.5 μ_B, unusually small relative to the free ion and parent compound (TbCo₃B₂) values. These magnetic and crystal properties are discussed and compared with what was previously published for the parent compound.     

Magnetic ordering and low-temperature thermodynamic properties of ErFe2Ge2

Polycrystalline sample of ErFe₂Ge₂ was investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity and electrical resistivity measurements, as well as by powder neutron diffraction. All these experiments yielded an evidence of magnetic ordering setting at about 3 K. The low-temperature neutron data revealed the formation of a sine-modulated commensurate antiferromagnetic structure characterized by the propagation vector k=(0, 0, ). The erbium magnetic moment is aligned parallel to the crystallographic a-axis. At T=1.55 K it is equal to 7.06(5) μ_B.     

Crystal and magnetic structure of a novel compound UCu5Al. Structural stability with Th-substitution

The antiferromagnetically ordered, moderate heavy fermion UCu₅Al, crystallises in the original tetragonal I4/mmm structure, which remains unchanged in the U_1−xTh_xCu₅Al solid solutions up to x≈0.35. Above this composition, other solid solutions with general chemical formula (U_1−xTh_x)(Cu_1−yAl_y)₅ are formed, having a different type of structure, namely the hexagonal CaCu₅-type. Below T_N=18 K UCu₅Al orders with a sine-modulated, incommensurate magnetic structure described by a wave vector k=(0, 0, 0.55) and the moment amplitude of 1.45(5) μ_B at 1.4 K.     

Magnetic properties for the Mn2GeTe4 compound

Measurements of magnetic susceptibility χ, in the temperature range from 2 to 300 K, and of magnetization M vs. applied magnetic field B, up to 5 T, at various temperatures were made on polycrystalline samples of the Mn₂GeTe₄ compound. It was found that Mn₂GeTe₄ has a Néel temperature T_N of about 135 K, shows mainly antiferromagnetic behavior with a very weak superimposed ferromagnetic component that is attributed to spin canting. Also, the magnetic results suggest that a possible spin-glass transition takes place at T_f≈45 K. The spin-glass order parameter q(T), determined from the susceptibility data, was found to be in agreement with the prediction of conventional spin-glass theory. The M vs. B results indicated that bound magnetic polarons (BMPs) occur in the compound, and that the effects from BMPs disappear at approximately 80 K. The M vs. B curves were well fitted by a Langevin type of equation, and the variation of the fitting parameters determined as a function of temperature. Using a simple spherical model, the radius of the BMP in the material was found to be about 27 Å; this value is similar to the effective Bohr radius for an acceptor in the II-IV-V₂ and I-III-VI₂ ternary semiconductor compounds.     

Magnetic properties and electronic structure of GdNi4Si compound

Electronic structure of the ternary GdNi₄Si compound, crystallizing in hexagonal CaCu₅ structure (P6/mmm space group) was studied by magnetic measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ab initio calculations. Core levels and valence band were investigated. The valence band of the XPS spectra is determined mainly by the Ni(3d) and Gd(4f) bands. The peaks’ positions are in good agreement with binding energies of a metallic gadolinium and nickel. The experimental valence band spectrum as well as the calculated density of states exhibit the domination of the Ni(3d) states in region from −4 eV to the Fermi level.     

Neutron and X-ray diffraction studies on the Tb2Ni3Si5 single crystal

Neutron and X-ray diffraction studies on the Tb₂Ni₃Si₅ single crystal have been done to investigate its crystal modulation and magnetic properties. The modulated single crystal is constructed by the TbNiSi₂ (CeNiSi₂-type Cmcm) and the Tb₂Ni₃Si₅ (U₂Co₃Si₅-type Ibam) lattices. The relationship between the two lattices is described as direction of the b₁₁₂-axis coincides with the a₂₃₅-axis. The crystal modulation gives significant effects on magnetism. Each of the two lattices takes complex antiferromagnetism with multiplex propagation vectors.