Antiferromagnetic ordering in NdAuGe compound

A. K.H. Bashir, M. B. Tchoula Tchokonté, J. L. Snyman, B. M. Sondezi, A. M. Strydom

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5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The compound NdAuGe was investigated by means of electrical resistivity, ρ(T), magnetic susceptibility, χ(T), magnetization, σ(μ0H), and specific heat, Cp(T), measurements. Powder X-ray diffraction studies confirm a hexagonal LiGaGe-type structure with space group P63mc (No. 186). ρ(T) data show normal metallic behaviour and a tendency toward saturation at higher temperatures. The low temperature ρ(T) data indicate a phase transition around 3.8K. The low field dc χ(T) data show an antiferromagnetic anomaly associated with a Néel temperature at T N=3.7K close to the phase transition observed in ρ(T) results. At higher temperatures, χ(T) follows the paramagnetic Curie-Weiss behaviour with an effective magnetic moment μeff=3.546(4) μB and a paramagnetic Weiss temperature of θp=-6.1(4)K. The value obtained for μeff is close to the value of 3.62 μB expected for the free Nd3+-ion. σ(μ0H) shows a linear behaviour with applied field up to 3T with an evidence of metamagnetic behaviour above 3T. Cp(T) confirms the magnetic phase transition at TN=3.4K. The 4f-electron specific heat indicates a Schottky-type anomaly around 16.5K with energy splitting δ1=25.8(4) K and δ2=50.7(4) K of the Nd 3+(J=9/2) multiplet, that are associated with, respectively, the first and second excited states of the Nd3+-ion.

Original languageEnglish
Article number17E134
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume115
Issue number17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 May 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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