Magnetic properties of NdxEr1−xMn6Sn6alloys

We have conducted low- and high-field magnetization measurements and neutron diffraction experiments on NdxEr1−xMn6Sn6 alloys (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) with hexagonal MgFe6Ge6 type structure. The alloy with x = 0.1 shows a complex helical antiferromagnetism with the magnetic moments rotating in the c plane below the Curie temperature TC = 340 K, and a ferrimagnetism below the temperature Tt = 100 K. In the ferrimagnetic state, the magnetic moments μMn and μNd are parallel to each other, and antiparallel to μEr. The alloy with x = 0.4 shows also a similar ferrimagnetic structure below the Curie temperature TC = 360 K. It is likely that the each magnetic moments are keep a constant values of μMn = 2.3 μB/Mn atom, μNd = 3 μB/Nd atom and μEr = 9 μB/Nd atom at 10 K in the whole composition (0 < x ≤ 0.5). The ferrimagnetic arrangements for the alloys with 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 are not almost disturbed by magnetic field up to 26 T at 4.2 K.