Magnetic Phase Diagram of Ce1-xErxAl2 intermetallic compounds

The magnetic and thermal properties of Ce1−xErxAl2 compounds have been studied using electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The magnetic ordering temperature continuously changes with a change from antiferro-magnetism (CeAl2) to ferro-magnetism (ErAl2) appears. The magnetic ordering temperature is continuously changed as a function of Er concentration x. A spin glass behavior was found between x = 0.08 and 0.4. The magnetic phase diagram was compiled as a function of x.Embargo Period 12 month

Thermal and magnetic properties in Ce1-xErxAl2 intermetallic compounds

The magnetic and thermal properties of Ce1−xErxAl2 compounds have been studied using specific heat, dc magnetization, and ac susceptibility measurements. All these compounds are isomorphic with the MgCu2 Laves phase, and the lattice parameter decreases almost linearly with the increasing Er concentration x. The dc magnetic susceptibility follows the Curie–Weiss law, and the Weiss temperature continuously changes from Θ = −24 K for x = 0 to Θ = 15 K for x = 1, indicating a change from antiferro-magnetism to ferromagnetism. Θ changes from negative to positive at around x = 0.2 where where a field-induced metamagnetic transition disappears. The magnetic ordering state continuously changes with the change in x from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic through a spin-glass-like behavior.Embargo Period 12 month

Ferroquadrupole ordering and Gamma_5 rattling motion in clathrate compound Ce_3Pd_20Ge_6

Lattice effects in a cerium based clathrate compound Ce_3Pd_20Ge_6 with a cubic Cr_23C_6-type structure have been investigated by ultrasonic and thermal expansion measurements. Elastic softenings of (C_11-C_12)/2 and C_44 proportional to the reciprocal temperature 1/T above T_Q1 = 1.25 K are well described in terms of the quadrupole susceptibility for the ground state Gamma_8 quartet. A huge softening of 50 % in (C_11-C_12)/2 and a spontaneous expansion DL/L = 1.9x10^-4 along the [001] direction in particular indicate the ferroquadrupole ordering of O_2^0 below T_Q1. The elastic anomalies associated with the antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N2 = 0.75 K and the incommensurate antiferromagnetic ordering are also found. Notable frequency dependence of C_44 around 10 K is accounted for by the Debye-type dispersion indicating a Gamma_5 rattling motion of an off-center Ce ion along the [111] direction with eight fractionally occupied positions around the 4a site in a cage. The thermally activated Gamma_5 rattling motion obeying a relaxation time t = t_0exp(E/k_BT) with an attempt time t_0 = 3.1x10^-11 sec and an activation energy E = 70 K dies out with decreasing temperature, and then the off-center tunneling state of Ce ion in the 4a-site cage will appear at low temperatures.Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures, to be published on Phys. Rev.

Optical investigation of the electrodynamic response of UPd2Al3

We have investigated the electrodynamic response of UPd2Al3 both above and below the antiferromagnetic phase transition at TN = 14 K. At low temperatures, we observe the formation of a low-frequency narrow resonance, which indicates the development of the many-body coherent state. However, we do not fmd any evidence of a gap absorption associated with a spin-density-wave state, which would develop if the state arised as a consequence of a Fermi surface instability

Anisotropic magnetic phase diagram of the Kondo-lattice compound Ce3Pd20Ge6 : Observation of antiferromagnetic and quadrupolar ordering

From the measurement of the specific heat of single crystalline samples of Ce3Pd20Ge6, we have constructed magnetic phase diagrams for a magnetic field up to 4 T, which disclose a pronounced anisotropy along the three principal directions of [100], [110], and [111]. We have found that both the quadrupolar and antiterromagnetic ordering temperatures exhibit distinct directional dependences on the external magnetic field and that new phase transitions evolve in the antiferromagnetic phase as well as in the ordered quadrupolar phase. These facts strongly suggest the existence of a complicated form of anisotropic interaction between the electric quadrupolar moment and the magnetic dipolar moment. The present result is briefly discussed in comparison with the reported one for CeB6

Optical investigations of the electrodynamics of UPd2Al3

We have investigated the electrodynamic response of UPd2Al3. At low temperatures, we observe the formation of a low-frequency narrow resonance, which indicates the development of the many-body coherent state. We do not find any evidence of a gap absorption associated to a spin density wave state below the antiferromagnetic phase transition at TN = 14 K, which would develop as a consequence of a Fermi surface instability