Powder neutron diffraction of Nd3Co13−xNixB2 compounds

Abstract We report results of a powder neutron diffraction study on the crystal structure and local magnetic moments in Nd 3 Co 13− x Ni x B 2 compounds with Nd 3 Ni 13 B 2 -type structure. The largest 3d magnetic moment resides at the 4 h sites. Nd magnetic moment is reduced with respect to the free ion value. Preferential Ni substitution for Co is also found at the 4h site. The refined magnetization direction is consistent with the T– x phase diagram derived from magnetization data.