Abstract:
ErCl3 crystallizes in the AlCl3-type layer structure. The crystal structure was refined in the paramagnetic state by powder neutron diffraction. The monoclinic lattice parameters at 1.5 K are a = 6.8040(3)Å, b = 11.7456(5)Å, c = 6.3187(3)Å and . The space group is C2/m. Short-range, predominantly in-plane, magnetic ordering occurs above 350 mK up to several Kelvin. Below mK a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic order with a propagation vector of sets in. The magnetic structure of ErCl3 was determined by powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction at temperatures down to 45 mK. The Er3+ ions are located on two-dimensional honeycomb layers in the a–b plane. There are two antiferromagnetically coupled triangular sublattices which form right- and left-handed helices along the c-axis. The magnetic moments are oriented in the a–b plane and amount to 3.3(1) at saturation. From the temperature dependence of the integrated neutron magnetic peak intensity a critical exponent (2) was derived for the magnetic phase transition.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received 1 December 1999 and Received in final form 21 July 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Krämer, K., Güdel, H., Fischer, P. et al. Triangular antiferromagnetic order in the honeycomb layer lattice of . Eur. Phys. J. B 18, 39–47 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510070075
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510070075