A comparison of Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction studies of the preferential site occupation of Co in ErFe 10.4− xCo xMo 1.6

Abstract

Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction experiments were performed on the series of compounds ErFe 10.4− x Co x Mo 1.6 ( x = 0, 2, 5, 7 and 10.4). The occupation of Co at the three different crystallographic sites has been determined. Preferential occupation is observed for the 8 j and 8 f sites, while the 8 i sites show unfavoured occupation. The complex Mössbauer spectra were analysed with a set of subspectra which take into account the disorder of the Mo atoms. The site assignment from the Mössbauer spectra is discussed and is supported by the neutron diffraction results.