Magnetic Structure of DyAg

Abstract

Neutron-diffraction measurements on the intermetallic compound DyAg show that this material is antiferromagnetic below a Néel temperature, TN, of 51°±1°K; this magnetic structure is in agreement with previous susceptibility data. The measured ordered moment on the Dy atom sites is 9.8±0.5 μB which is essentially the full moment to be expected from the free Dy3+ ion. The observed antiferromagnetic structure is in disagreement with predictions derived from the Ruderman—Kittel—Yosida indirect exchange interaction. Molecular field calculations based on TN show that the exchange energy, |Jex|/k, is in the range from 1.5° to 2.2°K.