The system Ce–Ag–Sn: phase equilibria and magnetic properties

Abstract

Phase relations in the ternary system Ce–Ag–Sn have been established for an isothermal section at 750°C. Experimental techniques used were optical microscopy, EPMA and X-ray powder analysis of arc-melted samples which had been annealed at 750°C for 10 days and quenched to room temperature. Phases equilibria are characterized by the formation of three ternary compounds: CeAgSn (CaIn 2-type), Ce 5AgSn 3 (Hf 5CuSn 3-type), and Ce 3Ag 4Sn 4 (Gd 3Cu 4Ge 4-type). CeAg 2Sn 2, earlier reported to form and crystallize in the CaBe 2Ge 2-type, was not observed in the present study. All these ternary phases order magnetically at low temperature; our measurements reveal that Ce 5AgSn 3 is ferromagnetic below T C=5 K, and Ce 3Ag 4Sn 4 is antiferromagnetic below T N=9 K.