Electronic structure and magnetic properties of RT₄Al₈ (R = Sc, Y, La, Lu; T = Fe, Mn, Cr) compounds. Hydrostatic pressure effects

We present results of theoretical and experimental studies of the electronic structure and magnetic properties of RFe₄Al₈, RMn₄Al₈, and RCr₄Al₈ compounds with nonmagnetic elements R = Sc, Y, La, and Lu. The electron spectrum and field induced magnetic moment, as well as their dependences on the unit cell volume, are calculated for the paramagnetic phase of the RT₄Al₈ systems. The calculations are supplemented by measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of representative RT₄Al₈ compounds as a function of temperature and hydrostatic pressure.