MAGNETIC-MOMENT ANALYSIS OF HO(FE1-XMNX)(2) INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS

Cubic Laves compounds Ho(Fe1-xMnx)(2) (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) compounds were investigated by magnetization and Mossbauer measurements. It was found that the saturation magnetization of these compounds increases with increasing Mn content while the moment of the transition-metal su blattice drops upon Mn substitution. Also, Mn substitution can lead to a decrease of the R-T coupling strength according to molecular field theory calculations. From Mossbauer studies it was found that the aver age hyperfine-field and the deduced Fe moment decrease with increasing Mn content. Combined with magnetization measurements the moment of th e Mn atoms was calculated and found to be rather small. It is suggeste d that the Fe moment is strongly influenced by the Mn atoms when the n umber of Mn atoms is above a critical value.