Long-range magnetic order in CeRu2Al10 studied via muon spin relaxation and neutron diffraction

The low-temperature state of CeRu2 Al10 has been studied by neutron powder diffraction and muon spin relaxation. By combining both techniques, we prove that the transition occurring at T* ∼27 K, whose origin has been the subject of considerable debate, is unambiguously magnetic due to the ordering of the Ce sublattice. The magnetic structure with a propagation vector of k= (1,0,0) involves a collinear antiferromagnetic alignment of the Ce moments along the c axis of the Cmcm space group with a reduced moment of 0.34 (2) μB. No structural changes within the resolution limit have been detected below the transition temperature. However, the temperature dependence of the magnetic Bragg peaks and the muon precession frequency show an anomaly around T2 ∼12 K indicating a possible second transition. © 2010 The American Physical Society.