Magnetic properties of the RCuIn (R = Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) and R₂CuIn₃ (R = Ce, Gd, Tb, Dy) compounds

Chem. Met. Alloys 1 (2008) 97-101

https://doi.org/10.30970/cma1.0012

A. SZYTUŁA, Yu. TYVANCHUK, T. JAWORSKA-GOŁĄB, A. ZARZYCKI, Ya. KALYCHAK, Ł. GONDEK, N. STÜSSER

X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements of RCuIn (R = Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) and R₂CuIn₃ (R = Ce, Gd, Tb, Dy) are reported. The RCuIn compounds crystallize in the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure. Two types of hexagonal structure were found in the R₂CuIn₃ series of compounds: the AlB₂ type for R = Ce and the CaIn₂ type for R = Gd, Tb, Dy. DC magnetic susceptibility measurements show that all the compounds, except those with R = Ce, order antiferromagnetically with T_N ranging from 3.1 K (R = Er) to 21 K (R = Gd) in the RCuIn series and from 25.6 K (R = Dy) to 40 K for (R = Tb) in the R₂CuIn₃ series. Neutron diffraction measurements were carried out for TbCuIn. At 1.5 K the Tb magnetic moments lie in the basal plane and form a noncollinear magnetic structure described by the propagation vector k = (½, ½, 0.2217(9)). The frustration effect characteristic of a triangular lattice is observed.

Basal plane projection of the magnetic structure of TbCuIn.

Keywords

Rare earth alloys and compounds / Intermetallics / Magnetically ordered materials / Magnetic measurements / Neutron diffraction