STUDY OF THE MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF THE LA1-XGDXTE SOLID-SOLUTION

We present a study of the physical properties of the La1-xGdxTe solid solution. Although both LaTe and GdTe crystallize in the fee structure and are metallic, two domains in the x-dependence of the lattice para meters of their solid solution can be distinguished. At the critical c oncentration, no anomalies in the magnetic susceptibility or the elect rical resistivity can be detected. Both the Neel and paramagnetic Curi e temperatures are linearly x-dependent, at x greater than or equal to 0.5, with opposite slopes. The results are discussed within a molecul ar field treatment of the RKKY exchange interaction in which the disor der generated by spin dilution is averaged out.