Magnetic structure of NdZn2

Abstract

Neutron powder diffraction measurements reveal that NdZn₂, having the body‐centered orthorhombic crystal structure (CeCu₂‐type), undergoes magnetic ordering below $\text{21 ± 1°}\mathrm{K}$ . The magnetic structure can be described by the composite of a sinusoidal transverse wave moment alignment polarized in the b axis direction and propagating along the c axis, and a ferromagnetic component along the b axis. The propagation wavelength and amplitude of the sinusoidal component at 4.2°K are, respectively, 2.35 in units of c and ${\text{1.7 ± 0.1\hspace{0.17em}μ}}_B$ . The ferromagnetic component equals ${\text{∼ 0.7\hspace{0.17em}μ}}_B$ . Results of magnetization measurements are consistent with the above findings.