Structural and magnetic properties of RMn2−xFexD6 compounds (R=Y, Er; x≤0.2) synthesized under high deuterium pressure

RMn_2−xFe_xD₆ compounds were obtained by applying a deuterium pressure of several kbar to RMn_2−xFe_x compounds for x≤0.2 and R=Y, Er. These compounds are isostructural to RMn₂D₆ compounds and crystallize in a K₂PtCl₆ type structure with a random substitution of R and half the Mn atoms in the same 8c site whereas the other Mn atoms are located on the 4a site and surrounded by six D atoms (24e site). According to neutron powder diffraction analysis the Fe atoms are preferentially substituted on the 4a site. YMn_2−xFe_xD₆ compounds are paramagnetic and their molar susceptibility follows a modified Curie-Weiss law. ErMn_2−xFe_xD₆ compounds display a ferromagnetic behavior at 2 K, but their saturation magnetization (M_S∼4.0 μ_B/f.u.) is half that of their parent compounds (M_S∼8.0 μ_B/f.u.). The neutron diffraction patterns of ErMn_1.8Fe_0.2D₆ display below 13 K both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic short range order, which can be related to a disordered distribution of Er moments. The paramagnetic temperatures of ErMn_2−xFe_xD₆ compounds are negative and decrease versus the Fe content whereas they are positive and increase for their parent compounds.