Non-collinear antiferromagnetic structure in PrCuAl

P. Javorský (1) , J. Kaštil (1, 2) , Olivier Isnard (3)

1 UK - Univerzita Karlova [Praha, Česká republika] = Charles University [Prague, Czech Republic]
2 Institute of Physics [Prague]
3 NEEL - MRS - Matériaux, Rayonnements, Structure

We report on the magnetic structure in PrCuAl as determined by powder neutron diffraction. This compound crystallizes in the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure and the bulk measurements indicated an antiferromagnetic order in PrCuAl below TN = 7.9 K. Our neutron-diffraction data confirmed the antiferromagnetic order below TN and revealed the propagation vector (1/3, 1/3, 1/3). The Pr magnetic moments lie within the basal plane and form a triangular structure. This magnetic structure differs from antiferromagnetic structures observed in other RCuAl or RNiAl compounds that are mostly characterized by (1/2, 0, q) propagation.

Domaines: Science des matériaux [cond-mat.mtrl-sci]

P. Javorský, J. Kaštil, Olivier Isnard. Non-collinear antiferromagnetic structure in PrCuAl. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2010, 200, pp.2027. ⟨10.1088/1742-6596/200/3/032027⟩. ⟨hal-00989324⟩