Incommensurate antiferromagnetism in the intermetallic superconductor HoNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C
- Department of Physics, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973 (United States)
- Ames Laboratory and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 (United States)
We report high-resolution x-ray and neutron-scattering studies of the antiferromagnetism of the rare-earth superconductor, HoNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C ({ital T}{sub {ital C}}=8.5 K). At low temperatures, {ital T}{lt}5 K, the superconductivity coexists with a long-range ordered, commensurate N{acute e}el state. In the incommensurate antiferromagnetic state, 5 K{lt}{ital T}{lt}7 K, we find two phase coexistence between an {ital a}-axis modulation and a {ital c}-axis basal plane spiral-like structure. The {ital c}-axis structure is characterized by two wave vectors. Short-range ordered fluctuations of the commensurate phase, observed for {ital T}{approx_gt}5 K, are interpreted in terms of local strains. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016; W-7405-ENG-82
- OSTI ID:
- 285370
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 53; ISSN 0163-1829; ISSN PRBMDO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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