Abstract
Abstract The crystallographic and magnetic structures of Er 6 Ni 2 Sn have been determined at low temperatures using neutron powder diffraction. It has been found that this system orders antiferromagnetically (AF) below T N = 17 K. Data taken at low temperatures and analyzed using symmetry group analysis suggest that Er 6 Ni 2 Sn forms a complex non-collinear commensurate AF structure with strongly reduced Er magnetic moments. The reason for the reduced moments is unclear and needs further studies. The magnetic phases below 7 K and in the temperature range 7–17 K differ only in the Er magnetic moment magnitudes and in the angle that the Er moments at the 8 l site make with the c -axis. The extra reflections present in the powder diffraction patterns suggest presence of a secondary phase. The temperature evolution of the powder pattern indicates that the secondary phase orders AF at 35 K.
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