Magnetic ordering in the solid solution CePt_1-xPd_xAl (x = 0.1-0.8)

In order to investigate the magnetic properties of the solid solution CePt_1-xPd_xAl the individual compounds were synthesized from the elements using an arc furnace. From x = 0-0.8 the solid solution crystallizes in the orthorhombic TiNiSi-type structure (Pnma, no. 62; a = 721-722, b = 448-453 and c = 778-779 pm) and for x = 0.9 both the TiNiSi- as well as the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structures were observed. The solid solution exhibits an interesting magnetic behavior as for small values of x ferromagnetic ordering can be found. At higher palladium content this changes towards an antiferromagnetic ordering. Furthermore the solid solution exhibits a spin-reorientation (meta-magnetic step) for x = 0.2-0.7. (Copyright copyright 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)