Investigation of the structural and magnetic properties of Fe7Pd3

Investigations of the structural and magnetic properties of Fe7Pd3 were carried out employing resistivity, powder X-ray diffraction and SQUID magnetometer measurements using a polycrystalline sample. The f.c.c. → f.c.t. transition was observed in the resistivity measurements and its structure was confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction. Heat treatment proved to be necessary to observe the f.c.c. → f.c.t. phase transition. Magnetisation versus temperature measurements were carried out with a low applied field and an unusual temperature dependence was observed. Isothermal measurements of the magnetisation versus applied field at different temperatures were observed and the magnetic moment was determined for temperatures below and above the phase transition. The Curie temperature was determined. Additionally, neutron diffraction experiments using a single crystalline sample were carried out. Laue diffraction experiments were used to orientate the single crystalline samples and check their quality. Single crystal diffraction was employed to investigate the structural phase transition and polarised neutron diffraction experiments were carried out to investigate the magnetic structure factor of Fe7Pd3. However, the single crystal sample did not exhibit a phase transition and the investigations were therefore limited to the high temperature phase.