Observation of weak ferromagnetism in the C14 Laves phase of the (Fe_(1-x)Ni_x)_2Nb system

摘要

In this work we report the observation of weak ferro- ism in the hexagonal C14 Laves phase (s.g. P63/mmc) of the (Fe_(1-x)Ni_x)_2Nb system, which has been reported as nonmagnetic in the literature. A larger unit cell volume is observed as compared to Fe_2Nb. From low-temperature magnetization measurements it is found that the Ni substitution for Fe indeed leads to the onset of a weak ferromagnetic ordering in the C14 Laves phase of this pseudobinary system.