Evidence for an itinerant electron moment in cubic Laves-phase rare-earth - transition-metal compounds

The magnetic properties of the series of pseudo-binary compounds YFe u Co 2-u have been examined in an attempt to obtain further information concerning the nature of the transition-metal moment in the cubic Laves-phase rare-earth - transition-metal compounds. The variation of the observed moment throughout the series can be understood on the basis of a non-localized moment associated with the transition-metal ion. The variation of the Curie temperature may be associated with the variation of the lattice parameter between the terminal compounds.