Crystal and magnetic structure of Ho2NiGe6

The crystal and magnetic structure of Ho2NiGe6 was studied by powder neutron diffraction. The paramagnetic neutron diffraction data confirmed the Ce2CuGe6-type crystal structure reported earlier for this compound. Below the Néel temperature equal to 11 K the Ho magnetic moments form a uniaxial antiferromagnetic ordering. The Ho magnetic moments equal to 8.16(7)μB at 1.5 K are parallel to the b-axis. The data are compared with those published for HoNi0.46(6)Ge2.