Magnetic properties of the hexagonal CeAlGa compound

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 82; no. 2; pp. 175 - 180
• Main Authors: Fremy, M.A., Gignoux, D., Schmitt, D., Takeuchi, A.Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.1989; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic properties and materials; Materials science; Metals, semimetals and alloys; Metals. Metallurgy; Other topics in magnetic properties and materials; Physics; Specific materials; Electrical conductivity; Magnetization; Neutron diffraction; Modulated structure; Lanthanide Alloys; Crystal field; Experimental study; Hexagonal crystals; Kondo effect; Inelastic scattering; Magnetic structure; Low temperature; Magnetic properties
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/0304-8853(89)90151-0

Magnetic properties of the hexagonal CeAlGa compound studied by resistivity, neutron diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering on polycrystals as well as magnetization measurements on a single crystal are presented. Below T N = 6 K it orders in an incommensurate modulated structure ( Q = (0.156, 0.156, 0) and M Q | Q ). In the paramagnetic range all the observed properties are well accounted for by crystal field which was determined quantitatively. The existence of a B 3 4 O 3 4 term in the crystal field Hamiltonian has been evidenced. As a consequence the true crystallographic structure is not of AlB 2-type (space group P6/mmm) as derived from X-ray or neutron diffraction patterns but it belongs to a space group of lower symmetry.