Magnetic transitions in Nd1−xDyxMn2Ge2

Abstract The various magnetic structures of the ThCr 2 Si 2 structured RMn 2 Ge 2 (R: rare-earth) compounds can lead to numerous magnetic configurations by gradually substituting the rare-earth element by another lanthanide. In this study, the magnetic properties of Nd 1− x Dy x Mn 2 Ge 2 (0⩽ x ⩽1) compounds were investigated by means of temperature-dependent DC magnetization measurements in low external magnetic fields. The substitution of Dy for Nd leads to a linear decrease in the lattice constants, and the magnetic interactions in the Mn sublattice cross over from a ferromagnetic character to an antiferromagnetic one. At low temperatures, the rare-earth sublattice orders in various configurations that depend on the composition. The results are collected in a phase diagram.