Evaluation of structure models of Ho2PdSi3 using DAFS, inter alia at a satellite reflection

The compounds R(2)PdSi3, with R = rare earth, exhibit a very interesting magnetic behavior with two phase transitions. Substituting one in four Si atoms by Pd in HoSi2 results in a modulation of the aristotype. There are several different variants discussed in literature about the nature of the modulation of this rare-earth compound. Two of the latest models were compared: a 2 x 2 x 1 layer and a 2 x 2 x 8 stack. The chosen method is Diffraction Anomalous Fine Structure (DAFS) and was applied both experimentally and by simulation at different absorption edges and reflections, i. a. a satellite reflection, aiming on finding the correct crystal structure.

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