Magnetic ordering in RPtIn ( and Ho) ternary intermetallics

Abstract The magnetic ordering in RPtIn ( R = Dy and Ho) compounds, crystallizing in the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure, has been investigated by neutron diffractometry in the temperature range between 1.5 and 50.7 K. Moreover, bulk magnetic measurements have been carried out in the range 1.7–400 K. The rare-earth magnetic moments have been found to order ferromagnetically below 37.1 and 23.1 K in DyPtIn and HoPtIn, respectively (temperatures derived from the magnetization data). The analysis of neutron diffraction patterns collected below 2 K revealed for both compounds the presence of a ferromagnetic contribution along the c -axis and an antiferromagnetic one in the ab -plane. The antiferromagnetic contribution in HoPtIn disappears with increasing temperature while the ferromagnetic one remains up to the transition into the paramagnetic state.