Magnetism,spin relaxation and hyperfine interactions of rare earths in RM6Al6(M = Cr,Mn, Cu)

The systems RM₆Al₆ (R = rare earth or Y, M = Cr, Mn, Cu, Rh) were studied by magnetization measurements and by Mossbauer spectroscopy of ¹⁵⁵Gd, ¹⁶¹Dy, ¹⁶⁶Er and ¹⁷⁰Yb. The magnetization studies show weak R-R antiferromagnetic exchange interactions in RCu₆Al₆(T_n)Gd) = 21 K, less than 4 K for all other R and strong crystalline field effects. Similar phenomena are observed in RMn₆Al₆ and RCr₆Al₆, however, due to the presence of a Mn or Cr local moment the systems order ferrimagnetically. In RCr₆Al₆the order temperatures are low T_c ～ 25 K, yet T_c(GdCr₆Al₆) = 170 K. The Mossbauer studies observations are consistent with the magnetiza results. In the case where Er and Yb are not ordered at 4.1 K, the spectra still show magnetic hyperfine structure however of paramagnetic nature. The spectra yield the hyperfine interaction spin Hamiltonian parameters and the spin relaxation rates. These turn out to be extremely slow (1O⁸–1O⁹ sec^?1, a very uncommon phenomenon for a concentrated Er or Yb metallic system.