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 and structural chemistry of ternary silicides (RE,Th, U)Ru2Si2 (RE = RARE EARTH)

Ternary silicides (RE, Th, U)Ru₂Si₂ have been synthesized from the elements. All the compounds (RE = Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) were found to be isotypic and to crystallize with the structure type of ThCr₂Si₂ (ordered derivative of the BaAl₄-type). The magnetic behavior of these alloys was studied in the temperature range 1.5 K < T < 1100 K. Magnetic susceptibilities at temperatures T > 300 K closely follow a typical Van Vleck paramagnetism of free RE³⁺-ions. In the case of CeRu₂Si₂ susceptibilities are well described for 20 K < T < 1100 K by a Van Vleck paramagnetism of widely spaced multiplets; the observed effective paramagnetic moment μ_eff = 2.12 BM indicates a high percentage (85%) of Ce³⁺. SmRu₂Si₂ yields an effective moment μ_eff = 0.54 BM, which compares reasonably well with the Hund's rule J = 5/2 ground level for free Sm⁺ and a low-lying excited level with J = 7/2. For temperatures T > 15 K the magnetic susceptibility as a function of temperature follows the “Van Vleck behavior” for free Sm³⁺. At low temperatures ferromagnetic ordering was encountered for (Pr, Nd, Ho, Er, Tm)Ru₂Si₂, whereas antiferromagnetic ordering was observed for (Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy)Ru₂Si₂. The ordering temperatures are generally below 55 K. No superconductivity was found for temperatures as low as 1.8 K.     

The magnetic structure of HoCo2Si2

We have carried out neutron diffraction on a HoCo₂Si₂ powder sample at 4.2 K. The magnetic structure of this compound is collinear antiferromagnetic with the holmium magnetic moments parallel to the c-axis of the crystal. The magnetic moment value of holmium is 9.85 μ_B. The magnetic space group is I4/mm'm' (Sh⁴¹⁰₁₂₈) k = 000 The ordering temperature is t_n = 12(1) K.     

Magnetic properties and structural data of ternary silicides: (RE,Th,U) Os2Si2 (RE= rare earth)

New ternary silicides (RE,Th,U) Os₂Si₂ have been synthesized from the elements. All the compounds (RE= Y,La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb,Dy,Ho,Er,Tm,Yb, Lu) were found to be isotypic and to crystallize with the ordered BaAl₄-type of structure (ThCr₂Si₂-type). Magnetic properties of these alloys — studied in the temperature range 1.5<T<1100 K — reveal a typical Van Vleck paramagnetism of free RE³⁺ ions at temperatures higher than 300 K. The observed effective paramagnetic moment of CeOs₂Si₂, μ(eff)=0.98 BM, is compatible with a rather low concentration (15%) of Ce³⁺. The effective moment of SmOs₂Si₂, μ(eff)=0.47 BM, is in reasonable agreement with a Hund's rule $\text{J=}\text{5}\text{2}$ ground level for free Sm³⁺. For temperatures above 25 K, the magnetic susceptibility as a function of temperature corresponds to the Van Vleck behavior for free Sm³⁺ (closely spaced multiplet, $\text{J=}\text{5}\text{2}$,$\text{J=}\text{7}\text{2}$. Magnetic ordering temperatures of REOs₂Si₂ silicides are generally below 42 K. (Pr,Nd,Ho,Er,Tm) Os₂Si₂ exhibit ferromagnetic ordering whereas (Sm,Gd, Tb,Dy) Os₂Si₂ show antiferromagnetic behavior. Above 1.8 K none of the samples was found to be superconducting.     

Magnetic structures of PrCO2Si2 and TbCo2Si2 compounds

Neutron diffraction studies of polycrystalline PrCo₂Si₂ and TbCo₂Si₂ compounds were carried out at 4.2 and 293 K. Both samples have collinear antiferromagnetic order below T_N(31(1) and 46(1) K for Pr and Tb compound respectively), with their magnetic moments parallel to the c axis. The ordered magnetic moment values of Pr and Tb at 4.2 K (3.19 and 9.12 μ_B respectively), are close to the saturation value of the free ions. The corresponding magnetic space group P_l4/mnc (Sh⁴¹⁰₁₂₈) is body-anticentered ($\text{k =}\text{111}\text{222}$ refering to P_l cell).     

Magnetic properties of UT2Si2 and UT2Ge2 (T = Co,Ni, Cu) intermetallic systems

Neutron diffraction and magnetization measurements indicate that, at low temperatures, long-range magnetic order is present in UCO₂Si₂, UNi₂Si₂, UCu₂Si₂, UNi₂Ge₂, and UCo₂Ge₂. UCo₂Si₂ and UNi₂Ge₂ are simple collinear antiferromagnets of +-+- type, UCu₂Si₂ a simple collinear ferromagnet. In UNi₂Si₂, a magnetic phase transition from a LSW type structure to collinear antiferromagnetism of +-+- type was found, while in UCu₂Ge₂, the antiferromagnetic structure of ++-- transforms into collinear ferromagnetism. Crystal structure and magnetic parameters are given. No magnetic moment on transition metal ions was found within the accuracy of a powder neutron diffraction experiment. The stability of particular magnetic ordering schemes is discussed in terms of an isotropic RKKY mechanism.     

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.     

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.     

Magnetism and structural chemistry of ternary silicides: (RE,Th, U)Pt2Si2 (RE = rare earth)

Ternary silicides (RE, U, Th)Pt₂Si₂ have been prepared from the elements. All the compounds (RE= Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and U, Th) were found to be isotypic and crystallize with the primitive tetragonal CePt₂Si₂-type structure closely related to the CaBe₂Ge₂-type. The magnetic properties of these alloys were studied in the temperature range 1.5 K < T < 1100 K and in fields up to 1.3 T revealing a typical Van Vleck paramagnetism of free RE³⁺-ions for temperatures T > 200 K. A nonmagnetic ground state is reflected from the magnetic susceptibility data of CePt₂Si₂, which are interpreted in terms of interconfiguration fluctuations (ICF). The magnetic results of SmPt₂Si₂ (μ_eff = 0.7 BM) compare well with the ideal Van Vleck behavior of Sm₃₊ ions with a $\text{J =}\text{5}\text{2}$ ground state and a low-lying excited first level $\text{J =}\text{7}\text{2}$. At temperatures below 40 K antiferromagnetic ordering is found for (Gd, Tb, U)Pt₂Si₂; whereas in case of (Dy, Ho, Er, Tm)Pt₂Si₂ the onset of ferromagnetism is indicated below 4 K. None of the samples exhibited a superconducting transition above 1.8 K.     

Magnetic behavior of nanocrystalline LaMn2Ge2

The compound, LaMn₂Ge₂, crystallizing in ThCr₂Si₂-type tetragonal crystal structure, has been known to undergo ferromagnetic order below (T_C=) 326 K. In this article, we report the magnetic behavior of nanocrystalline form of this compound, obtained by high-energy ball milling. T_C of this compound is reduced marginally for the nanoform, whereas there is a significant reduction of the magnitude of the saturation magnetic moment with increasing milling time. The coercive field however increases with decreasing particle size. Thus, this work provides a route to tune these parameters by reducing the particle size in this ternary family.     

Magnetic ordering in NdRh2Si2 and ErRH2Si2

Neutron diffraction and magnetization study of polycrystalline NdRh₂Si₂ and ErRh₂Si₂ was performed in the temperature range from 4.2 to 293 K. Both compounds are of ThCr₂Si₂ type crystal structure and exhibit antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N = 53 K and T_N = 12.8 K respectively. The magnetic structure wave vector is τ = [0, 0, 1].     

Magnetic behavior of Dy3+ Ion in Dy2(SeO4)3 · 8H2O. Experimental and theoretical study including the effects of J-J mixing

Single crystals of dysprosium selenate octahydrate were grown and magnetic measurements carried out on the principal anisotropies and the principal susceptibility χ₁ at room temperature and their thermal variation down to 90 K. The magnetic moment is found to be slightly lower than the free-ion value, although the anisotropy is quite high. The variation of the average moment with temperature is very small and a least squares fit to a Curie-Weiss law yielded ?0.97 K as the paramagnetic Curie temperature. An analysis of the data was undertaken on the basis of interaction of the rare earth ion with its immediate neighbors. A crystal field (CF) of tetragonal symmetry which is the approximate site symmetry of the RE³⁺ ion, gave an excellent simulation of the observed behavior. Considerable effects of J-J mixing of the first three J-multiplets with the ground one were noticed. g-factors and the Schottky anomalies in the heat capacity were determined theoretically. Various hyperfine properties, including the thermal variation of the Mössbauer spectra, were computed for both isotopes of dysprosium in the light of the proposed CF.     

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.     

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.     

Neutron diffraction determination of the magnetic structures of NpCo2Si2 and NpCu2Si2

A small polycrystalline ingot sample of NpCo₂Si₂ (weight ≈ 1.5 g) has been studied by neutron diffration between 2 and 160 K on the multi-detector D1B of ILL, Grenoble. At 100 K, the crystal structure is body-centered tetragonal (space group 14/mmm) with a = 3.886 Å and c =9.649 Å. Below T_N = (44 ± 2) K, seven superlattice lines are observed which correspond to a simple tetragonal lattice with lattice constants as above. They are consistent with a type I antiferromagnetic structure of the Np (2a) sublattice, with (001) ferromagnetic sheets coupled antiferromagnetically according to the sequence +-+-. At 6 K, the neptunium moment obtained from the diffracted intensities is: (1.48 ± 0.20)_μuB, and makes an angle 52° ± 15° with the c axis. The cobalt moment is certainly smallet than 0.3_μuB. The Np moment correlates well with the ²³⁷Np hyperfine field deduced from Mos?sbauer spectroscopy; the sublattice magnetization-temoperature curve follows very well the $\text{J=}\text{1}\text{2}$ brillouin curve. The magnetism is therefore probably of lovalized character in this compound. An isomorphous sample of NpCu₂Si₂ (a = 3.990 Å c = 9.920 Å) was shown to be ferromagnetic below (41 ± 2) K, with the Np moment [1.5 ± 0.2)_μuB] aligned along the c axis.     

Coexistence of superconductivity and magnetic ordering in the borocarbide superconducting system

The investigation of the intermetallic compounds Y_1−xRE_xNi₂B₂C and Y_1−xRE_xPd₅B₃C_0.4 (RE=Gd, Dy, Ho, Er; 0≤x≤1.0) demonstrates that the coexistence of the long-range-magnetic-ordering and the superconductivity is possible The normal-state magnetic susceptibility shows a Curie-Weiss-like temperature dependence and a small paramagnetic Curie temperature. The value of the effective moment is close to that of the free RE⁺³ ion. Both results suggest that the coupling between the conduction electron and magnetic ion is not strong, but the coupling is still strong enough to cause the depression of superconductivity. The Abrikosov-Gor‘kov magnetic pair-breaking theory can be applied to those systems. The corresponding magnetic-ordering temperature increases with increasing magnetic moment concentration while the superconducting transition temperature decreases. The long-range-magnetic-ordering is mainly caused by the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida indirect exchange interaction via conduction electrons. This indirect exchange coupling strongly depends on the concentration of RE⁺³-moment and de Gennes factor.     

Magnetic properties of PrRh2Si2: A neutron diffraction study

The magnetic properties of polycrystalline PrRh₂Si₂ sample have been investigated by neutron diffraction measurements. Antiferromagnetic transition with an anomalously high ordering temperature (T_N∼68 K) is clearly observed in magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, electrical resistivity and neutron diffraction measurements. Neutron diffraction study shows that Pr³⁺ ions carry an ordered moment of 2.99(7)μ_B/Pr³⁺ and align along the crystallographic±c-directions for the ions located at the (0,0,0) and positions. The magnetoresistance at 2 K and 10 T is rather large (∼35%).     

X-ray absorption spectroscopic study of mixed valence systems EuCu2Si2, YbCu2Si2 and Sm4Bi3

X-ray absorption spectroscopy technique is employed to determine the valence of the rare earth ions in EuCu₂Si₂, YbCu₂Si₂ and Sm₄Bi₃. In each case, two absorption peaks corresponding to two different valence states of respective rare earth ions have been observed. Low temperature (77 K) study of EuCu₂Si₂ indicates distinct change in the relative intensities of the absorption peaks compared to those registered at room temperature (300 K). It is inferred from the change in the relative intensities that the population of Eu²⁺ in EuCu₂Si₂ decreases at liquid nitrogen temperature compared to Eu³⁺. Conclusions drawn from these results agree well with those reported by others using different experimental techniques. In Sm₄Bi₃, Sm²⁺ and Sm³⁺ are found to occur in the ratio of 3:1.     

Magnetic anomalies in single crystalline ErPd2Si2

Considering certain interesting features in the previously reported ¹⁶⁶Er Mössbauer effect, and neutron diffraction data on the polycrystalline form of ErPd₂Si₂ crystallizing in the ThCr₂Si₂-type tetragonal structure, we have carried out magnetic measurements (1.8–300 K) on the single crystalline form of this compound. We observe significant anisotropy in the absolute values of magnetization (indicating that the easy axis is c-axis) as well as in features due to magnetic ordering in the plot of magnetic susceptibility χ versus temperature T at low temperatures. The χ(T) data reveal that there is a pseudo-low-dimensional magnetic order setting in at 4.8 K, with a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic order setting in at a lower temperature (3.8 K). A new finding in the χ(T) data is that, for H∥〈1 1 0〉 but not for H∥〈0 0 1〉, there is a broad shoulder in the range 8–20 K, indicative of the existence of magnetic correlations above 5 K as well, which could be related to the previously reported slow-relaxation-dominated Mössbauer spectra. Interestingly, the temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity is found to be isotropic; no feature due to magnetic ordering could be detected in the electrical resistivity data at low temperatures, which is attributed to magnetic Brillioun-zone boundary gap effects. The results reveal the complex nature of magnetism of this compound.