Neutron diffraction study of Nd5Fe17

Abstract Nd 5 Fe 17 is a new stable phase in the binary Nd–Fe system. X-ray diffraction of single crystals revealed a complex structure belonging to the hexagonal space group P6 3 /mcm. We perform a neutron diffraction study of Nd 5 Fe 17 powders. Position parameters, occupation of atoms, magnetic moment, coordination number, and average bond length in the hexagonal structure are reported.