Magnetic properties of Nd1-xGdxMn2Ge2 compounds

The magnetic properties of polycrystalline Nd1-xGdxMn2Ge2 (0 less than or e qual tox less than or equal to1) compounds have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and measurements of the DC magnetization. All compound s crystallize in the ThCr2Si2-type structure with the space group I4/mmm. L attice parameters and the unit cell volume obey Vegard's law. The samples w ith x less than or equal to0.6 are ferromagnetic and have spin reorientatio n temperature. In the case of 0.7 less than or equal tox <1, samples are fe rrimagnetic with compensation point and reentrant ferrimagnetism is observe d for x=0.8 and x=0.85. As a result, the magnetic phase diagram has been co nstructed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.