Variety of magnetism in incommensurate misfit layer compounds (Res)xts2 (re=rare earths, r=ta, v, ti, cr)

Abstract

Magnetic properties of incommensurate layered compounds (RE S)XT S2 were investigated for RE=rare earth metals and T= Ta, V, Ti and Cr. The magnetic structures in the ordered states depend on the rare earth elements used; ferromagnetic layers with the moments normal to the layer are stacked antiferromagnetically for the Ce compounds, and antiferromagnetic layers with the moments parallel to the layer are stacked antiferromagnetically for the Gd compounds.(LaS)1.20CrS2 containing nonmagnetic La shows successive magnetic transitions at 70 and 40 K, while (CeS)1.20CrS2shows magnetic transitions at 65 and 5 K. The 5 K transition is due to the magnetic ordering in the CeS layers, which occurs independently of the magnetic ordering in the CrS2 layers. © 1993 The Japan Society of Applied Physics.