Ferrimagnetism in GdCo(12-x)Fe(x)B6

J Phys Condens Matter. 2013 Aug 7;25(31):316001. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/31/316001. Epub 2013 Jul 9.

Abstract

The effects of iron substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of the GdCo(12-x)Fe(x)B6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) series of compounds have been studied. All of the compounds form in the rhombohedral SrNi12B6-type structure and exhibit ferrimagnetic behaviour below room temperature: T(C) decreases from 158 K for x = 0 to 93 K for x = 3. (155)Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy indicates that the easy magnetization axis changes from axial to basal-plane upon substitution of Fe for Co. This observation has been confirmed using neutron powder diffraction. The axial to basal-plane transition is remarkably sensitive to the Fe content and comparison with earlier (57)Fe-doping studies suggests that the boundary lies below x = 0.1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't