Abstract
Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the R11Co4In9 compounds (R = Tb–Er) have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction as well as dc magnetic measurements. The compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic Nd11Pd4In9-type crystal structure (Cmmm space group) in which the rare earth atoms occupy five nonequivalent sublattices. Magnetic properties of the investigated compounds are related mainly to the R3+ ions. The values of effective magnetic moments in the paramagnetic state are close to the free R3+ ion values while the moments in the ordered state at T = 2.0 K (R = Tb, Dy) or T = 1.9 K (R = Ho, Er) and H = 90 kOe are lower than the respective R3+ moments. The compounds show complex magnetic properties below 95 K (Tb), 88 K (Dy), 35 K (Ho) and 5.4 K (Er). With increase of temperature the antiferromagnetic ground state changes to the ferro- or ferrimagnetic one. The critical temperatures of magnetic ordering do not fulfill the de Gennes scaling indicating a strong influence of the crystal electric field (CEF) in stabilizing the magnetic order.
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