MAGNETIC-STRUCTURE OF THE TERNARY GERMANIDE U3CU4GE4

U3Cu4Ge4 which crystallizes in the orthorhombic Gd3Cu4Ge4-type structu re, orders ferromagnetically below T-C=71(1) K. This ternary germanide was investigated by neutron powder diffraction. The ferromagnetic tra nsition is observed by this study at T-C=69(2) K. The magnetic structu re is described by U-moments equal to 1.71(1) mu(B) and all parallel t o the a-axis. In other words, the two inequivalent U-atoms (U1 and U2) carry the same moment. This structure is discussed in relation to tho se previously reported for other germanides as UGe2, UCu2Ge2 and UCuGe which exhibit some structural relationship. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.