Magnetic ordering in DyFe 6Sn 6

Abstract

We have determined the magnetic structure of the orthorhombic (Cmcm) intermetallic compound DyFe 6Sn 6 by neutron powder diffraction. The Fe sublattice orders antiferromagnetically at 559(5) K with moments along [ 1 0 0 ] and a propagation vector k 1 = [ 0 1 0 ] . At 3.6 K, the Fe magnetic moment is 2.6 ( 4 ) μ B . The Dy sublattice orders at 19(2) K, quite independently of the Fe sublattice. The Dy order is canted and comprises ferromagnetic order along [ 0 0 1 ] and antiferromagnetic order along [ 0 1 0 ] ; the respective propagation vectors are [ 0 0 0 ] and [ 0 1 0 ] . At 3.6 K, the Dy magnetic moment components are FM 5.0 ( 3 ) μ B and AF 1.6 ( 3 ) μ B , leading to a net Dy moment of 5.2 ( 4 ) μ B and a canting angle of 17 ( 4 ) ∘ away from the crystal c-axis towards the b-axis.