On the magnetic structure of UIrGe

Abstract

Although all the bulk properties of UIrGe point to an antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering below 16–18 K, several neutron-diffraction experiments failed to solve the magnetic structure of this compound. Neutron diffraction at low temperatures on a newly grown UIrGe single crystal revealed a weak magnetic signal on top of very few nuclear reflections. Refinements to models allowed by symmetry show that a commensurate, non-collinear antiferromagnetic structure exists in UIrGe. U magnetic moments are strongly reduced and amount at 1.8 K to 0.36(8) μ B.