Neutron-diffraction study of YFe10−<i>x</i>Co<i>x</i>Si2

Abstract

YFe10−xCoxSi2 (0≤x≤10) compounds were synthesized and studied by x-ray and neutron diffraction. The ThMn12-type structure can be formed in the entire range of composition. Magnetic properties were studied at fields up to 70 kOe in the temperature range of 1.5 K to room temperature. X-ray-diffraction analyses of aligned powders indicate that the easy magnetization direction is parallel to the c axis when x≤6, and deviates from the c axis when x≥ (R18)8. The site preference of Si and Co atoms in the structure was determined by neutron-diffraction experiments.