Magnetic Properties of Stoichiometric and Off-Stoichiometric NbFe₂

Abstract

Magnetic properties of stoichiometric and off-stoichiometric NbFe₂ intermetallic compounds have been studied. It has been revealed that the stoichiometric NbFe₂ shows strongly enhanced Pauli paramagnetic properties. The temperature dependence of its susceptibility in a weak external field shows a maximum as observed in other exchange enhanced metals such as TiBe₂. The concentration deviations from the stoichiometry toward both sides result in ferromagnetism. The origins of the ferromagnetism in off-stoichiometric compositions are discussed.