The Atomic and Magnetic Structure of NdMn(6−x)FexGe6 Solid Solutions

Authors

J. Han, University of Missouri - Rolla
G. K. Marasinghe, University of Missouri - Rolla
W. J. James, University of Missouri - Rolla
M. Chen, University of Missouri - Columbia
W. B. Yelon, University of Missouri - Columbia
I. Dubenko, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
N. Ali, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Comments

© 2000 American Institute of Physics

Published in Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 87 No. 9 (2000) at doi: 10.1063/1.373321

Abstract

The magnetic and crystallographic properties of induction-melted NdMn_(6−x)Fe_xGe₆ intermetallics (x=0, 1.0, and 1.5) in the temperature range of 30–475 K have been studied by x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques and SQUID measurements. All of the samples crystallized in the YCo₆Ge₆-type structure (P6/mmm). A small amount (<5 mol%) of Nd(MnFe)₂Ge₂ is present as an impurity. As expected, iron replaces manganese at the 3g site. The unit cell volume decreases slightly with increasing iron content at an average rate of 1.3% per substituted atom. Lattice parameters a and c contract at a rate of 0.6% and 0.2% per substitution atom, respectively. The net magnetization of these samples decreases rapidly with increasing iron content. According to neutron diffraction data, the magnetic moment of the iron sublattice couples negatively with ferromagnetically coupled manganese and neodymium moments. Addition of iron suppresses the spin reorientation processes observed in NdMn₆Ge₆. Whereas the net moment in NdMn₅Fe₁Ge₆ slowly cants away from the c-axis with increasing temperature, the easy direction of NdMn_4.5Fe_1.5Ge₆ is approximately parallel to the c-axis in the temperature range mentioned above.

Recommended Citation

Han, J., Marasinghe, G. K., James, W. J., Chen, M., Yelon, W. B., Dubenko, I. and Ali, N.. "The Atomic and Magnetic Structure of NdMn(6−x)FexGe6 Solid Solutions." (May 2000).