X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and magnetism of Gd3Ni8Al

Abstract

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), magnetization and magnetic susceptibility of Gd3Ni8Al are reported. Both valence band and core level spectra were analyzed. Ni atoms have no magnetic moment because of charge transfer of Gd conduction electrons to the 3d band. This effect is mainly related with the 6s electrons of Gd. The filling of the Ni 3d band is revealed by the density of states at the Fermi level, the chemical shifts of Gd and Ni core levels and the value of the effective magnetic moment in the paramagnetic state. The compound Gd3Ni8Al exhibits a collinear ferromagnetic arrangement of Gd moments below the Curie temperature T-C=61 K. A negative 3d band polarization of 0.15 mu(B)/Ni is induced by the exchange interactions with the Gd spins. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science BV All rights reserved.