A single crystal of a r a r e 4 random-site alloy. Hoo.5Ero.5, bas been studied with x-ray diffraction. We have used the technique of resonance-enhanced scattering af the Ho and Er Lm absolption edges to study element-specific effecis in the temperature dependence of the magnetic SVUC~UIE below the N&l temperature. In the highest-temperature phase. a c-axis modulated suucture in which the Ho and Er moments take different tilt angles from the basal plane, mwurements at the hvo edges show identical satellite positions. The lowesttemperature phase, a conical spiral which locks to a s t " e with wavevector $=' below 20 K, is accompanied by a basal-plane lanice modulation that is related to the magnetic structure The modulation changes the symmehy of the crystal lattice; as a consequence we suggest that the magnetic st~clure locks to one with equidistant spin-slip dismmmensdons. In addition. WE fmd an unusual energy and polarization dependence in the satellite intensity in this phase that is not seen at higher temperatures. We present argumena to demonstrate that the unusual behaviour is not accounwl for by multiple-scattering events.
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