Crystal structure and magnetic properties of RCu5Sn compounds (R–Y, Gd–Yb)

The new isostructural RCu5Sn compounds, where R=Y, Gd–Yb, were prepared and their crystal structure was studied. These compounds crystallize in the CeCu6 structure type (space group Pnma). Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffraction has been carried out to analyze the crystal structure for R=Er. The magnetic properties of RCu5Sn compounds were investigated from 2 to 300 K under a magnetic field of 7 T. The ordering temperature and the effective magnetic moments were determined. The TmCu5Sn and YbCu5Sn compounds do not exhibit any magnetic order at least down to 2 K. X-ray absorption spectroscopy performed at the L edges reveals the intermediate valence state of Yb in YbCu5Sn.