Magnetic Moment Distribution in Ni-Pd Alloys

Polarized neutron measurements of both the Bragg and Diffuse scattering were made for a series of ferromagnetic Ni-Pd alloys to determine the distribution of magnetic moment in this alloy system. Polycrystalline samples containing 25, 50, 71, and 92 at.% Pd were used. The individual Ni and Pd moment values determined independently from the Bragg and diffuse scattering data agree and vary with composition. Both moments increase with increasing Pd content to a maximum of about 1.2μB/Ni near 90 at.% Pd and 0.2μB/Pd in the 50-70 at.% Pd region. Extrapolation of the results to the Ni-rich region indicates that isolated Pd atoms in a Ni environment have no moment but produce an enhanced Ni moment. Such Ni moment enhancement has not been previously observed for Ni-based alloys.