Magnetism and incommensurate waves in Zr-3(Rh1-xPdx)(4)

Unique properties of the Zr-3(Rh(1-x)Pdx)(4) alloy system are reported here . Contrary to most metallically bonded systems which are not quick to chang e magnetic behavior with alloy concentration, this system does. Pure Zr3Rh4 and pure Zr3Pd4 are each nonmagnetic, while in the limited range 0.02 < x < 0.08, there is a substantial increase in paramagnetism, attended by a sim ilarly varying incommensurate density wave. At x=0.04 the system exhibits f erromagnetism and displays some superconductivity at x=0.06. The crystal st ructure involves disclination lines of Rh atoms, or channels, which are equ ivalent to those of the superconducting A15 structures and bear resemblance s to those of the hard magnets. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0 021-8979(00)17808-9].