Magnetic Structures of Rare Earth Intermetallic Compounds RCuAs2 (R = Pr, Nd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Yb)

Published

July 14, 2017

Author(s)

Yang Zhao, Jeffrey W. Lynn, Gohil S. Thakur, Zeba Haque, L. C. Gupta, A. K. Ganguli

Abstract

Neutron scattering studies have been carried out on polycrystalline samples of a series of rare earth compounds RCuAs₂ (R=Pr, Nd, Dy, Tb, Ho and Yb) as a function of temperature to determine the magnetic structures and the order parameters. These compounds crystallize in the ZrCuSi₂ type structure, which is similar to that of the RFeAsO (space group P4/nmm) class of iron-based superconductors, PrCuAs₂ develops a commensurate magnetic order with K = (0, 0, 0.5) below T_N = 6.5(2) K. with the ordered moments pointing along the c-axis. The irreproducible representation analysis shows either a Γ¹₂ or Γ¹₃ representation. NdCuAs₂ and DyCuAs₂ order below T_N = 3.54(5) K and T_N = 10.1(2) K, respectively, with the same ordering wave vector (with a Γ²₉ or Γ²₁₀ representation) but the moments lying in the a-b plane. TbCuAs₂ and HoCuAs₂ exhibit incommensurate magnetic structures below T_N = 9.44(7) and 4.41(2) K. respectively. YbCuAs₂ does not show any magnetic Bragg peaks at 1.5 K, while the susceptibility measurements indicate an antiferromagnetic-like transition at 4 K, suggesting that either the ordering is not long range in nature or the ordered moment is below the sensitivity limit of {approximately equal} 0.2 υB.

Citation

Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids

Volume

111

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Antiferromagnetism

Citation

, Y. , , J. , , G. , Haque, Z. , , L. and , A. (2017), Magnetic Structures of Rare Earth Intermetallic Compounds RCuAs₂ (R = Pr, Nd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Yb), Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=920589 (Accessed December 30, 2024)