Magnetism of rare earth intermetallic compound Pr3Te4: A neutron diffraction study

Magnetic properties of rare earth intermetallic compound Pr3Te4 (cubic, Th3P4-type, space group I-43d, no. 220, cI28) have been studied using magnetization (M) and neutron diffraction (ND) experiments. The compound Pr3Te4 shows indication to order ferromagnetically at ∼5 K (TC). Magnetization value of 1.77 μB per Pr3+ is achieved at 5 K in 70 kOe magnetic field. Powder neutron diffraction study suggests a likely-incomplete, collinear ferromagnetic order of Pr3Te4 at 1.5 K with magnetic wave vector K0 = [0, 0, 0]. Only a trace magnetic moment of 0.6 μB could be obtained per Pr site, based on ND data analysis at 1.5 K.