Magnetism in the YxGd1−xFe3 system

Abstract

The series of polycrystalline YxGd1−xFe3 compounds with a PuNi3-type of crystal structure have been obtained. Based on wide-ranging SQUID magnetometer series of different magnetic measurements have been carried out. Moreover, the magnetic properties in the paramagnetic range has been studied by means of Faraday type magnetic balance. The partial replacement of Gd by Y atoms is reflected in the increase within the total saturation magnetic moment MS from 1.61μB/f.u (x=0.0) to 5.32μB/f.u (x=1.0) and the decrease of the Curie temperature TC from 721K (x=0.0) to 533K (x=1.0). Exchange coupling parameters of R–R (ARR), T–T (ATT) and R–T (ART) have been evaluated from M(T) magnetization curves based on the mean field theory (MFT) calculation. The valence band spectra as well as the core level lines obtained by the use of X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) at room temperature have been analyzed as the influence of Gd/Y substitution on the electronic structure. The valence bands near the Fermi level are dominated by Fe3d states. A quite good agreement between the values of the iron magnetic moment estimated from M(H) curves, from MFT calculations as well as from fitting of Fe3s core level lines has been obtained.