The first-order magnetoelastic transition in Eu2In: A 151Eu Mössbauer study

Abstract

Our 151Eu Mössbauer investigation of Eu2In and Eu2Sn shows that the europium in both materials is fully divalent. We confirm the distinct thermodynamic orders of the magnetic transitions and reveal a remarkable difference between the magnetic environments of the europium atoms in the two compounds. Possible structural and electronic origins for these differences are discussed using DFT calculations.