Magnetic phase transitions in PrMn2−xCrxGe2

The structural and magnetic properties of PrMn 2− x Cr x Ge 2 (0⩽ x ⩽1.0) were studied by X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. The powder samples crystallize in the ThCr 2 Si 2 -type structure, and the lattice constants at room temperature show almost no variation as Cr substitutes Mn. The observed phase transitions are summarized in a proposed magnetic x − T phase diagram and compared with previous Moessbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction results for x =0.