Magnetic ordering and magnetic properties of ErAuxNi1−xIn (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solution

The ErAuxNi1−xIn (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) quasiternary compounds crystallize in the hexagonal layered crystal structure of ZrNiAl-type. ErAuIn was reported to be an antiferromagnet with TN = 3 K and magnetic moments having triangular arrangement within the basal plane (the magnetic order is described by the propagation vector k→=[0,0,1/2]). On the contrary ErNiIn is a ferromagnet with TC = 9 K and magnetic moments pointing along the c-axis. The magnetic ordering in ErAuxNi1−xIn (0 < x < 1) solid solution, has been investigated by neutron diffractometry in the temperature range between 1.5 and 15 K. Moreover, bulk magnetic measurements have been carried out in the range 1.72–400 K. All alloys of intermediate composition were found to be antiferromagnets with TN between 4.6 and 7 K. Below 2 K their magnetic order is described by the propagation vector k→=[1/2,0,1/2] and magnetic moments are aligned along the c-axis. However, for alloys with 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.7 the propagation vector was found to turn into k→=[1/3,1/3,1/2] with increasing temperature.