Note on the magnetism of UCu₂Ge₂

Abstract

The results of a recent study and explanation of the magnetism of UCu₂Ge₂ (Roy and Coles 1991, Phil Mag. B, 64, 741) do not agree with some previous results, notably with neutron diffraction data. Contradictory results on the magnetism of UCu₂Ge₂ are summarized and discussed. The absence or appearance of a low-temperature antiferromagnetic phase in this ferromagnet is ascribed to different annealing conditions that may give variations in stoichiometry, a view supported by neutron studies of the magnetic phase diagram of the U(Ni_1-xCu_x)₂Ge₂ solid Solutions.