Configurations of Pt and Mn in iron disilicides

The configurations of Pt and Mn atoms in the semiconductors Fe0.97Pt0.03Si2 and Fe0.97Mn0.03 Si2 with the β-FeSi2 structure were determined by using the method of atom location by channeling enhanced microanalysis. Both Pt and Mn atoms in the semiconductors were confirmed to occupy preferably Fe sites, since the intensities of characteristic X-rays emitted from the Fe, Pt, and Mn atoms were notably stronger in a dynamical condition than in a quasikinematical condition. The occupation probabilities of Pt atoms were 0.030 ± 0.002 on Fe sites and 0.000 ± 0.001 on Si sites, the occupation probabilities of Mn atoms being 0.028 ± 0.004 on Fe sites and 0.001 ± 0.002 on Si sites.