Mössbauer Effect and Magnetization Studies of YbFe₄Sb₁₂and LaFe₄Sb₁₂

Abstract

We prepared two YbFe 4 Sb 12 samples (#1 and #2) and a LaFe 4 Sb 12 sample. Mössbauer and magnetization measurements were performed on the samples at various temperatures and in applied magnetic fields. The experimental results indicate that #1 is in a weakly ferromagnetic state below 13 K, while #2 is in an itinerant paramagnetic state even at 2 K, and that quadrupole splitting for #1 at each temperature is slightly less than that for #2. Therefore, we conclude that YbFe 4 Sb 12 is an intermediate material between a nearly ferromagnetic material and a weakly ferromagnetic material.