Neutron diffraction and magnetization studies of pseudoternary HoRh2-xPdxSi2 solid solutions (0$\leq$x<2)

Neutron powder diffraction and magnetometric studies of the HoRh2-xPdxSi2 series of solid solutions (x = 0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 1.8) are reported. The intermetallics investigated crystallize in the body-centred-tetragonal ThCr2Si2-type structure (space group I4/mmm). All the samples order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures. For low values of the dilution parameter x a simple collinear antiferromagnetic structure of the AFI type is stable. Below TN the magnetic moments are parallel to the c-axis and then, below Tt, deflect forming an angle with the c-axis. Further replacement of Rh by Pd results in the development of a sine-wave-modulated magnetic structure with one two-component propagation vector and magnetic moments in the basal plane. For x = 1.8 a sine-wave-modulated structure similar to that reported for HoPd2Si2 (i.e. with a two-component propagation vector and magnetic moments parallel to the b-axis) was found.