Magnetic Properties of Ternary Gallides of type RNi4Ga (R = Rare earths)

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic behaviors of RNi4Ga compounds with various rare earth elements, revealing their magnetic transition temperatures, types, and the effects of different R elements on their magnetic properties.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive analysis of the magnetic properties of RNi4Ga compounds across multiple rare earth elements, highlighting their transition temperatures and magnetic states.

Findings

Ferromagnetic transitions observed in several RNi4Ga compounds.

PrNi4Ga remains paramagnetic down to 2 K.

Most compounds show thermomagnetic irreversibility except GdNi4Ga.

Abstract

The magnetic properties of RNi4Ga (R = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu) compounds have been investigated. These compounds form in a hexagonal CaCu5 type structure with a space group P6/mmm. Compounds with the magnetic rare earths, R = Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm, undergo a ferromagnetic transition at 5 K, 17 K, 20 K, 19 K, 12 K, 3.5 K, 8 K and 6.5 K, respectively. The transition temperatures are smaller compared to their respective parent compounds RNi5. PrNi4Ga is paramagnetic down to 2 K. LaNi4Ga and LuNi4Ga are Pauli paramagnets. All the compounds show thermomagnetic irreversibility in the magnetically ordered state except GdNi4Ga.