Magnetic properties of ternary compounds

Summary At present magnetism is becoming a more and more fundamental science. On the other hand, the solid-state chemists are able to prepare easily many new ?magnetic? phases with a more or less complex crystal structure. There results a conflicting situation between the ideal expected models and the true behaviour of the real crystal. A strategy to tackle this important problem is suggested. Illustrations are given by analysing the properties of ternary compounds with different structural arrangements of their magnetic carriers such as chains or layers. Paper presented at the ?V International Conference on Ternary and Multinary Compounds?, held in Cagliari, September 14–16, 1982.