Hyperfine interactions in RxGd1-xFe3 intermetallics R = Tb, Y

Abstract

The structural and magnetic properties of rare earth iron intermetallic compounds TbxGd1-xFe3 and YxGd1-xFe3 (x = 0. 0, 0. 1, 0. 2, 0. 4, 0. 5, 0. 6, 0. 8, 1. 0) was studied by X-ray diffraction, the 57Fe Mössbauer effect and SQUID measurements. All investigated compounds crystallize in the rhombohedral PuNi3-type of crystal structure. The investigation of magnetic properties of RxGd1-xFe3 proved their ferrimagnetic behavior. The Curie temperature of the investigated compounds decreases with the increase of R concentration from 721K (GdFe3) to 655K (TbFe3) and 533K (YFe3). The saturation magnetic moment MS in the RxGd1-xFe3 system increase with x parameter. The Mössbauer spectra are analyzed using four sextets, corresponding to three crystallographically (b, c, h) and four magnetically (b, c, h1, h2) inequivalent sites for iron. The mean hyperfine magnetic field increases with increase of the Gd concentration © 2014 The Author(s).