Magnetism and incommensurate waves in Zr3(Rh1-xPdx)4

Unique properties of the Zr3(Rh(1-x)Pdx)4 alloy system are reported here. Contrary to most metallically bonded systems which are not quick to change magnetic behavior with alloy concentration, this system does. Pure Zr3Rh4 and pure Zr3Pd4 are each nonmagnetic, while in the limited range 0.02<x<0.08, there is a substantial increase in paramagnetism, attended by a similarly varying incommensurate density wave. At x=0.04 the system exhibits ferromagnetism and displays some superconductivity at x=0.06. The crystal structure involves disclination lines of Rh atoms, or channels, which are equivalent to those of the superconducting A15 structures and bear resemblances to those of the hard magnets. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics