Magnetic properties, electronic structure and X-ray spectra of RCo9Si4 compounds (R=Y, Gd, Tb)

Abstract The crystal structure of new representatives of the CeNi 8.5 Si 4.5 structure type (substructure of NaZn 13 type) was determined. Magnetic and electrical properties of these RCo 9 Si 4 compounds (R=Y, Gd, Tb) were measured. High values of the Curie points were observed in these compounds in spite of the low magnitudes of the magnetic moments per Co atom (∼0.4 μ B ). X-ray emission spectral studies of Si Kβ 1, x , Si L 2,3 bands and Co Kα 1,2 lines were used to establish the valence band structure of these compounds. X-ray spectral data confirmed the Co magnetic moment reduction in the RCo 9 Si 4 compounds as compared with metallic cobalt. Mattiessen’s rule was used for the analysis of the temperature dependence of the resistivity.