NEUTRON-POWDER-DIFFRACTION STUDY OF ErFe_11.35Nb_0.65 AND ErFe_11.35Nb_0.65N_y

ErFe_11.35Nb_0.65 AND ErFe_11.35Nb_0.65N_y have been synthesized and neutron-powder-diffraction experiments at room temperature performed. The ErFe_11.35Nb_0.65N_y nitride, obtained by gas-solid reaction, retains the ThMn₁₂-type structure of its parent compound. The Nb atoms occupy 8i sites and the nitrogen atoms are located at 2b sites. The atomic magnetic moments of the Er ions are antiparallel to those of the Fe atoms. Upon nitrogenation, the lattice cell expands mainly along the a-axis and the atomic magnetic moments of Fe are enhanced.