Ferromagnetic to Antiferromagnetic Transition in Hf_0.8Ta_0.2Fe₂

Abstract

From the magnetization and Mössbauer measurement it was found that the magnetic state of intermetallic compound Hf_0.8Ta_0.2Fe₂ is ferromagnetic below 150 K and antiferromagnetic between 150 and 338 K. Above 150 K a phase transition from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic state is induced by an external magnetic field and the magnetization curve shows a hysteresis. The result is consistent with that of the recent theoretical study by Moriya and Usami on the coexistence of ferro- and antiferromagnetism in itinerant electron system.