Crystal structure and magnetic properties of R11Co4In9 (R=Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) compounds

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the R11Co4In9 compounds (R = Tb-Er) have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction as well as dc magnetic measurements. The compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic Nd11Pd4In9-type crystal structure (Cmmm space group) in which the rare earth atoms occupy five nonequivalent sublattices. Magnetic properties of the investigated compounds are related mainly to the R3+ ions. The values of effective magnetic moments in the paramagnetic state are close to the free R3+ ion values while the moments in the ordered state at T = 2.0 K (R = Tb, Dy) or T = 1.9 K (R = Ho, Er) and H = 90 kOe are lower than the respective R3+ moments. The compounds show complex magnetic properties below 95 K (Tb), 88 K (Dy), 35 K (Ho) and 5.4 K (Er). With increase of temperature the antiferromagnetic ground state changes to the ferroor ferrimagnetic one. The critical temperatures of magnetic ordering do not fulfill the de Gennes scaling indicating a strong influence of the crystal electric field (CEF) in stabilizing the magnetic order.

Automated summary

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of R11Co4In9 compounds have been investigated, showing that the compounds crystallize in an orthorhombic structure with rare earth atoms occupying five nonequivalent sublattices. The magnetic properties are mainly related to the R3+ ions, with complex behaviors observed at different temperatures.