Effect of disorder on the magnetic properties of a partially filled skutterudite.

The magnetic properties of the partially filled skutterudite Eu(0.5)Co(4)Sb(12) are investigated by a model Hamiltonian, with special emphasis on the effect of ordering and disordering occupancy of the filler atoms Eu on the magnetic properties. The magnetization, magnetic specific heat and entropy are calculated within the mean-field approximation. By introducing the position disorder of the filler atoms, the critical temperature T(C) above which the magnetization disappears is changed. The magnetization curve near T(C) also becomes concave compared to the convex magnetization of the ordered system. The filler disordering also leads to a kink in the isothermal magnetization curve and a valley in the magnetic specific heat near T(C). The effective magnetic field acting on the localized spin of the filler atoms has a competitive effect with the disorder and therefore makes the valley disappear.