MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF RA3GA2 COMPOUNDS (R = RARE-EARTH, A = CO, NI)

The crystal structure and the magnetic properties of the RA3Ga2 compounds have been studied from 4.2 to 300 K under magnetic fields in the region of 1 to 20 kOe. YNi3Ga2 is a Pauli paramagnet while YCo3Ga2 shows a ferromagnetic behavior. The RNi3Ga2 Compounds are ferromagnetic. At low temperatures the RCo3Ga2 compounds under 1 kOe show a maximum in the susceptibility vs. temperature curves. ErCo3Ga 2 and TmCo3Ga2 have a compensation point at 105 and 111 K respectively. They are probably ferrimagnetic. The compounds with A = Co show hysteresis effects, especially in the 4.5 K isotherms.