Antiferromagnetic ordering of divalent Eu in EuCu2Si2 single crystals

Abstract

We report the synthesis, from an indium flux, of single crystals of EuCu2Si2. In contrast to previous studies of polycrystalline samples in which intermediate-valent behavior for Eu is reported, we find that in single crystals of EuCu2Si2 the behavior of Eu is divalent, including the presence of antiferromagnetic order at 10 K. The origins of these variations in ground-state properties are discussed in terms of effective chemical pressure and local changes in chemical environment. © 2001 The American Physical Society