Magnetic phase transitions in Pr1-xDyxMn2Ge2 and Ce1-xDyxMn2Ge2

The magnetic properties of the compounds Pr1-xDyxMn2Ge2 (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1) and Ce1-xDyxMn2Ge2 (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1) were investigated by means of temperature-dependent DC magnetization measurements in low external magnetic fields. The substitution of Dy for Pr or Ce leads to a linear decrease in the lattice parameters. Below about 330 K, the interlayer magnetic coupling in the Mn sublattice is ferromagnetic for Pr-rich and Ce-rich compounds and antiferromagnetic for Dy-rich compounds. At low temperatures, the Dy sublattice also orders and reconfigures the ordering in the Mn sublattice. This leads to ferrimagnetic ordering for Dy-rich compounds.