Neutron diffraction and magnetization studies ofpseudoternary HoRh2-xPdxSi2 solid solutions(0⩽x

Abstract

Neutron powder diffraction and magnetometric studies of the HoRh2-xPdxSi2 series of solid solutions (x = 0, 0.5,0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 1.8) are reported. The intermetallics investigated crystallize in the body-centred-tetragonalThCr2Si2-type structure (space group I4/mmm). Allthe samples order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures. Forlow values of the dilution parameter x a simple collinearantiferromagnetic structure of the AFI type is stable. BelowTN the magnetic moments are parallel to the c-axis andthen, below Tt, deflect forming an angle φ with thec-axis. Further replacement of Rh by Pd results in the development of a sine-wave-modulated magnetic structure with onetwo-component propagation vector and magnetic moments in thebasal plane. For x = 1.8 a sine-wave-modulated structuresimilar to that reported for HoPd2Si2 (i.e. with a two-component propagation vector and magnetic moments parallel tothe b-axis) was found.