On the R 5d band polarization in rare-earth–transition metal compounds

Abstract

Magnetic measurements and band structure calculations were performed onRT2 andRT5 compounds, where R is a heavy rare-earth andT = Fe, Co, Ni, Al, as well as on pseudobinary compoundsGdCo2 − xAx (A = Ni, Cu,Si), YFe2 − xVx and YCo4 − xNixB. The calculated moments per formula unit described well the experimentally determinedmagnetizations. By considering the 4f–5d–3d exchange interactions, we evaluate thecontributions of local 4f–5d and short range 5d–3d interactions to R 5d and Y 4d bandpolarizations. The 4f–5d induced polarizations are proportional to the De Gennes factorand are the same for a given R and a similar type structure. The R 5d and Y 4d bandpolarizations induced by R 5d–T3d or Y 4d–T3d hybridizations are proportional to thenumber of neighbouring T atoms, to a given R, and their magnetic moments. Previousresults on the matter are also discussed.