Structural and magnetic characterization of Ho3SbO7 and Dy3SbO7

We present an experimental investigation of the structural and magnetic properties of Ho3SbO7 and Dy3SbO7. These compounds adopt the Y3TaO7 structure, space group C2221. The magnetic rare-earth ions occupy an intricate lattice related to the pyrochlore lattice that occurs in Ho2Ti2O7 and Dy2Ti2O7. The crystal structure of Ho3SbO7 is determined by Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern at ambient temperature, and that of the Dy analogue is inferred to be similar. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that Ho3SbO7 and Dy3SbO7 have negative Curie–Weiss temperatures: –8.4 K (Ho) and –9.2 K (Dy). Magnetic transitions have been detected at 2.0 K (Ho) and 3.0 K (Dy). We discuss the results in terms of the "dipolar spin ice model" that has been used to describe Ho2Ti2O7 and Dy2Ti2O7.