Structural and physical properties of the new stannide Yb₃Pd₄Sn₁₃

Among the new discovered intermetallics in the Yb-Pd-Sn system, the cubic phase Yb₃Pd₄Sn₁₃, with a lattice parameter of 0.9743(5) nm, emerges as a new member of the R₃T₄Sn₁₃ family (R = rare earth element, T = transition metal) crystallizing in the Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃-structure type. The effective magnetic moment μeff = 1:84 μB/Yb is strongly reduced. Moreover, measurements of magnetic properties, specific heat and resistivity indicate superconductivity below 2.4 K. This compound is found to exhibit a strongly enhanced electronic specific heat at low temperature from which we infer a possible low-lying magnetic phase transition or other source of magnetic entropy.