Neutron-diffraction study of YFe10−xCoxSi2

Abstract
YFe10−xCoxSi2 (0≤x≤10) compounds were synthesized and studied by x‐ray and neutron diffraction. The ThMn12‐type structure can be formed in the entire range of composition. Magnetic properties were studied at fields up to 70 kOe in the temperature range of 1.5 K to room temperature. X‐ray‐diffraction analyses of aligned powders indicate that the easy magnetization direction is parallel to the c axis when x≤6, and deviates from the c axis when x≥ (R18)8. The site preference of Si and Co atoms in the structure was determined by neutron‐diffraction experiments.