Complex Magnetic Behaviour of $Ho_3Cu_4X_4$ Compounds (X = Si and Sn)

Ternary $Ho_3Cu_4X_4$ compounds exhibit very complex magnetic phase diagrams. The rare earth ions occupy two non-equivalent crystal positions. Within both magnetic sublattices, magnetic moments exhibit different magnetic ordering temperatures. Moreover, in light of our results, it seems that both sublattices are weakly coupled between each other. This may be observed as independent changes of propagation vectors etc. The major difference of ordering temperatures between both compounds is likely related to substantial change of interatomic distances. Consequently, completely different crystalline electric field effects are observed.