Magnetic properties of ternary RMn2Si2 and RMn2Ge2 compounds

Magnetic properties of RMn₂Si₂ and RMn₂Ge₂ compounds, where R is a rare earth metal, have been investigated by magnetometric measurements. RMn₂Ge₂ (where R is a light rare earth) and LaMn₂Si₂ are ferromagnets. Remaining compounds have antiferromagnetic properties. DyMn₂Si₂ and ErMn₂Si₂ show ferromagnetic properties at low temperatures. It was confirmed that the value of Curie (or Néel) temperature for the Mn sublattice decreases with increasing c constant.     

Magnetic properties of R4Co3 (R = Gd, Y) compounds as observed by NMR

The zero field spin echo nmr spectrum of Gd₄Co₃ taken at 4.2 K is analysed and discussed on the basis of having magnetic moments of Co atoms at different structural lattice sites. For Y₄Co₃ the spin echo nmr spectrum taken as a function of the external field is discussed and explained on the basis of the coexistence of Co atoms carrying localized magnetic moments and paramagnetic Co atoms in this compound at determined structural sites.     

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.     

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.     

Neutron diffraction study of magnetic ordering in ErMn2Si2, ErMn2Ge2 and ErFe2Si2

Neutron diffraction study of polycrystalline compounds ErMn₂Si₂, ErMn₂Ge₂ and ErFe₂Si₂ was performed in the temperature range between 1.8 and 293 K. All compounds have tetragonal, ThCr₂Si₂-type crystal structure. The antiferromagnetic collinear structure of ErMn₂Si₂ and ErMn₂Ge₂ at both RT and LNT, consists of a sequence + - + - of ferromagnetic layers of Mn atoms. The magnetic moment of an Mn atom (≈2μ_B) is parallel to the c-axist. At low temperatures (LHT and lower), the ferromagnetic ordering within the Er sublattice is observed. The magnetic moment (μ_Er ≈ 9μ_B) is perpendicular to the c-axis. From the temperature dependence of the intensities of the magnetic peaks, the following values for the Curie temperatures were obtained: (10±5) K for ErMn₂Si₂ and (8.5±3) K for ErMn₂Ge₂. For ErFe₂Si₂ a collinear antiferromagnetic structure of the + - - + type was found, the magnetic unit cell consisting of the chemical one, doubled along the c-axis.     

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.     

Fine structure in the absorption edge spectrum of NbS2Y2 (Y = Cl,Br, I)

High resolution absorption spectra of single crystals of NbS₂Y₂ (Y = Cl, Br, I), obtained at temperatures between 4.2 and 300 K revealed extensive fine structure in the absorption edge. This structure has been analysed and interpreted in terms of allowed indirect interband transitions, involving phonons corresponding to SS and NbS vibrations, followed by forbidden and by allowed direct transitions. From the shape of the absorption curve associated with the phonon branches of the indirect transitions a binding energy of 23 cm^? for indirect excitons is obtained. A binding energy of 28 cm^? for direct excitons is deduced from the exciton lines observed at the long-wavelength side of the direct transitions. A detailed interpretation of the optical transitions is given in terms of a molecular orbital diagram for the Nb₂S₄ clusters, present in these crystals.     

Magnetic properties of antiferromagnetic YMn2 and magnetic structure of GdMn2

Electronic structure of d-electrons in antiferromagnetic YMn₂ is calculated in the tight-binding approximation. By making use of the calculated density-of-state curve, various magnetic properties of this compound are discussed and a good agreement between the calculated and observed results is obtained. A new model of the magnetic structure of GdMn₂ is proposed.     

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.     

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.     

Magnetic and magnetocaloric results of magnetic field-induced transitions in La1−xCexMn2Si2 (x=0.35 and 0.45) compounds

The La_1−xCe_xMn₂Si₂ compounds (x=0.35 and 0.45) exhibit an antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic transition caused by the changes in distance between Mn atoms due to temperature changes. A field-induced transition from antiferromagnetic state to ferromagnetic state at a critical field, which decreases with increase in temperature, can also be induced by applying a magnetic field. In this paper our aim is to study the magnetization and magnetocaloric effect, close to transition temperatures. Our subsidiary aim is to examine the temperature dependence of critical field and ferromagnetic fraction of compounds. The variation of magnetocaloric effect with temperature is correlated with the ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic phase coexistence. Our final aim is to examine the harmony between magnetocaloric effect values calculated both by the Maxwell theory and by the Landau theory.     

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 properties of RPd5Al2 (R=Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd)

Polycrystalline samples of a new rare-earth series RPd₅Al₂ crystallizing in the tetragonal ZrNi₂Al₅-type structure have been prepared. Their physical properties by electrical resistivity ρ, magnetic susceptibility χ, magnetization M and specific heat C_p measurements are reported. The ingots are composed of elongated grains preferentially aligned in the c direction; therefore, measurements were conducted parallel and perpendicular to the grains. Antiferromagnetic ordering appears in R=Ce, Nd, Gd, and Sm at low temperatures. CePd₅Al₂ has two AFM transitions at 4.1 and 2.9 K and ρ(T) indicates a Kondo metal behavior with large anisotropy. In PrPd₅Al₂ no magnetic transition was observed down to 0.4 K. The C_p(T) shows a broad peak around 13 K due to the CEF effect, suggesting a non-magnetic singlet ground state. In NdPd₅Al₂, χ(T) shows anisotropy and the C_p(T) shows a sharp peak at 1.2 K. The magnetic entropy at 3 K is very close to Rln2, indicating a Kramers doublet ground state. In SmPd₅Al₂, C_p(T) shows a magnetic transition at 1.7 K. C_p(T) for GdPd₅Al₂ shows a peak at 6 K, followed by a broad anomaly around 3 K. Within this series, T_N's for CePd₅Al₂ and NdPd₅Al₂ clearly deviate from the relation predicted by de Gennes scaling, which is ascribed to the CEF effect.     

Mn nuclear magnetic resonance studies in RMn2Ge2 (R = rare earths)

The ⁵⁵Mn NMR in RMn₂Ge₂ (R= La,Nd and Gd) were observed as a function of temperature. In Nd and Gd compounds the ⁵⁵Mn NMR frequencies exhibit anomalous temperature dependences owing the effects of rare earth sublattices. The ordering temperatures of the Nd and Gd sublattices are found to be 30 and 95 K, respectively.     

The magnetic properties of some R5Pt3 compounds (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho)

The magnetic susceptibility and magnetization of the R₅Pt₃ intermetallic compounds have been studied. Gd₅Pt₃ is ferromagnetic while Tb₅Pt₃, Dy₅Pt₃ and Ho₅Pt₃ possess rather a non-linear magnetic structure, with strong ferromagnetic interaction and high anisotropy effects at low temperatures.     

Crystal field interactions in DyFe2Si2 and DyFe2Ge2

Two sets of crystal field (CF) parameters have been proposed for DyFe₂Si₂, none of which could provide a simultaneous explanation of the available experimental data, particularly at low temperatures (below 100 K). The set derived from magnetic studies could not even explain the thermal variation of the magnetic specific heat reported in the same work. Although the set of CF parameters, obtained from a fit to the Mossbauer spectra, could provide a fairly good explanation of the thermal variation of the magnetic susceptibilities along the c-axis, it could not explain the observed thermal variation of other reported experimental findings. In the present work, an appraisal of the CF parameters proposed earlier has been done and a set of CF parameters has been derived, which provide a simultaneous explanation of all the available experimental data. The effect of substitution of Ge for Si on the magnetic properties and the magnetic specific heat of DyFe₂Si₂ has been studied in the framework of one electron crystal field model. The inelastic neutron scattering studies and EPR measurements are required to check the predicted Stark energies and the paramagnetic resonance g-values.     

New information on magnetic structure of ErRu2Si2

Neutron diffraction measurements of ErRu₂Si₂ at 1.8 K reveal a partially squared modulated magnetic structure.     

Microstructural changes in Fe-doped Gd5Si2Ge2

Gd₅Si₂Ge₂-based alloys can exhibit a giant magnetocaloric effect (GMCE); this gives them the potential for use in cooling technologies. It has also been reported that a small addition of iron reduces the hysteresis losses in Gd₅Si₂Ge₂-based alloys, thus increasing the net refrigerating capacity. In this investigation, we have been the first to look at the effect on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ resulting from a wide range of substitutions of Si by Fe. The macrostructures of the arc-melted buttons revealed some very unusual surface morphologies, and the analytical results revealed a gradual substitution of the Gd₅(Si,Ge,Fe)₄-type phase by a Gd₅(Si,Ge,Fe)₃-type phase and the presence of three grain-boundary phases, two of which contain substantial amounts of iron. The magnetic measurements indicated that larger amounts of iron reduced the hysteresis losses, but at the same time reduced the Curie temperatures to below lower values that would make the material useful in practice.     

Magnetic and structural characteristics of the R3Ni7B2 compounds (R = rare earth)

Magnetic and structural behaviour and phase relationships of materials of composition R₃Ni₇B₂ (R = Nd-Lu) were investigated. Detailed X-ray analysis yields that two hexagonal structures are encountered. For the heavy rare earth (Gd-Lu) the compounds crystallize in the CeNi₃ structure. The space group is P6₃/mmc and each unit cell contains two formula units. The R₃Ni₇B₂ where R = Nd-Sm (including Yb₃Ni₇B₂) crystallize in the CeCo₄B structure. The space group is P6/mmm and each unit cell contains one formula unit. The detailed crystal structures are discussed. The magnetic measurements show that Yb₃Ni₇B₂ and Lu₃Ni₇B₂ are Pauli paramagnetic. Sm₃Ni₇B₂ is ferromagnetically ordered with a huge intrinsic magnetic hardness. The magnetization at the coercive field at low temperatures is extremely time dependent. The R₃Ni₇B₂ which crystallize in CeNi₃ structure are antiferromagnetic at low temperatures. All Mossbauer and magnetization experimental results can be explained assuming an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction in both 2(c) and 4(f) crystallographic sites and a ferromagnetic interaction between these sites.     

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.