Magnetic ordering in UNiSi2

Neutron diffraction and magnetization studies have been carried out on the intermetallic compound UNiSi2. The diffraction data confirm the orthorhombi c CeNiSi2 type structure reported earlier for this compound. The present ma gnetization studies show that UNiSi2 orders ferromagnetically below 97 K an d that there is no indication of any antiferromagnetic component down to 2 K. The low temperature neutron diffraction data show collinear ferromagneti c ordering, with the U-moments directed along the shorter (c)-axis. The Val ue of the magnetic moment on uranium atoms is found to be 1.2 mu(B). (C) 20 00 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.