The polycrystalline samples of TmxY2-xO3 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 1, 1.4, 1
.8) were obtained by ceramic technology. X-ray diffraction data were collec
ted and the crystal structures were refined by the Rietveld method, A rando
m distribution of Tm3+ ions over two cationic sites, 8b and 24d, in the spa
ce group Ia (3) over bar was found. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of
all samples were done using a SQUID susceptometer in a temperature range 4
K < T < 290 K, Above 90 K a Curie-Weiss law was observed, while below 90 K
the inverse magnetic susceptibility deviates from linearity due to the cry
stal-held influence. Deduced effective magnetic moments are close to the fr
ee ion values. In the whole temperature range the susceptibility data were
fitted in accordance with the axial symmetry approximation of the crystal f
ield and corresponding values of the crystal-field energy levels were deduc
ed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.