161Dy Slater–Pauling dependence of Dy(Mn xCo 1− x) 2 intermetallics

Abstract

It was previously found, that the magnetic hyperfine fields at 161Dy nuclei in the Dy(M–M) 2 (M–M=Mn–Fe, Fe–Co and Co–Ni) pseudobinary intermetallics behave in accordance with the Slater–Pauling curve related to the average number of 3d electrons per transition metal atom. This curve was obtained by 3d-metal/3d-metal substitution, performed systematically across a transition metal series. In the present paper, the series Dy(Mn x Co 1− x ) 2 is studied, for which the number of 3d electrons per atom of the transition metal constituent differs by two. A preparation method of the intermetallic compounds Dy(Mn x Co 1− x ) 2 and data of a detailed X-ray analysis (300 K) are described. The 161Dy Mössbauer effect measurements of the Dy(Mn x Co 1− x ) 2 intermetallics were performed (4.2 K) and the hyperfine parameters were determined from the experimental Mössbauer spectra. It was found that, as a result of the Mn/Co substitution, the magnetic hyperfine field shows a new Slater–Pauling dependence, analogous in some degree, to the mentioned one. The possible influence of the Mn/Co-substitution on the 3d-band structure is qualitatively discussed.