Magnetic properties of RNi 1− xIn 1+ x (R=Gd–Er) compounds

Abstract

AC and DC bulk magnetic measurements were performed for RNi 1− x In 1+ x (R=Gd–Er and x=0,0.1, 0.25) compounds. These compounds crystallize in the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure. The lattice parameters a and c for the RNiIn series decrease linearly with increasing number of 4f electrons. For nonstoichiometric RNi 1− x In 1+ x additional indium atoms occupy the 2(c) crystallographic site and the a parameter increases while the c parameter decreases with increasing indium content. The stoichiometric samples show ferromagnetic behavior with the critical temperature changing from 96 K for R=Gd to 9 K for R=Er. In the nonstoichiometric RNi 1− x In 1+ x compounds increase in the indium content leads to decrease in the ferromagnetic critical temperatures and to a change of the antiferromagnetic ordering for x=0.25 in the case of R=Dy, Ho and Er.