A Study of Rare Earth Intermetallic Compound La_0.73Dy_0.27Mn₂Si₂ by Raman Spectroscopy, Magnetic Force Microscopy, and Resonance Photoemission Spectroscopy

The features of magnetic microstructure of La_0.73Dy_0.27Mn₂Si₂ at 293 K have been visualized by atomic force and magnetic force microscopy. Magnetic force images reveal the presence of low-contrast magnetic domains. The change of Raman spectral characteristics of light scattering in the process of cooling La_0.73Dy_0.27Mn₂Si₂ to a temperature of 263 K is experimentally detected. The electronic structure of La_0.73Dy_0.27Mn₂Si₂ is investigated by resonance photoemission spectroscopy with the use of the synchrotron radiation. Resonances at the 3d and 4d levels of electronic structure show different properties of valence electrons. Using the Dy 3d–4f (M_4.5 absorption edge) resonance, the distribution of 4f states of dysprosium in the valence band is determined. Photoemission upon the giant Dy 4d–4f (N_4.5 absorption edge) resonance is determined by the contribution of all states in the valence band due to the sudden involvement of the Coulomb interaction. The energies of the 5p and 4f levels of La, the 4f level of Dy, and the 3d level of Mn in the valence band are determined.