Magnetism and electronic structure of selected Gd1−xSmxIn3 compounds

In the paper magnetic properties of polycrystalline Gd1−xSmxIn3 intermetallic compounds are presented. The cubic AuCu3-type of crystal structure for the whole series was confirmed with the use of X-ray powder diffraction. A partial replacement of Gd by Sm atoms is reflected in the decreasing of the Néel temperature (TN) as well as effective magnetic moment (μeff). Magnetic susceptibility of studied compounds follows the modified Curie–Weiss law in the paramagnetic range. Electronic structure studied by XPS method shows a domination of Gd–Sm states in the valence band. The mixed valence state of samarium ions at concentration x = 0.3 was confirmed by analysis of the Sm core level lines.