Magnetic properties of RAuSn compounds

On magnetic ordering in NdCu2Sn2 and PrCu2Sn2

“…We had prepared RCu 2 Sn 2 (R = La-Eu) and investigated their properties [10]. We found that NdCu 2 Sn 2 orders antiferromagnetically around 3 K. Recently, Baran et al [17] have reported from neutron diffraction results that PrCu 2 Sn 2 orders below T N ∼3.8 K but NdCu 2 Sn 2 does not order magnetically down to 1.6 K. The latter result is in contradiction with our result. Slebarski et al [18] have also reported magnetic ordering in PrCu 2 Sn 2 at T N ∼3.6 K. Here we present our studies of structural, magnetic and transport properties of PrCu 2 Sn 2 and NdCu 2 Sn 2 and show that bulk magnetic order exists in both these compounds.…”

“…However, the µ eff in the paramagnetic state is same as that of the free Pr 3+ ion. Further, as pointed out by Baran et al [17], T N (∼3 K) of PrCu 2 Sn 2 is much higher than that expected from de Gennes scaling (∼0.56 K) which may also be either due to f-electron hybridisation with conduction electrons or due to crystal field splitting of f-electron levels. Pr ions can have two different valence states, Pr 3+ and Pr 4+ .…”

“…Recently, it has been reported from neutron diffraction measurements [17] that there is no magnetic order down to 1.6 K in NdCu 2 Sn 2 and that PrCu 2 Sn 2 orders magnetically below T N = 3.8 K. Antiferromagnetic ordering in PrCu 2 Sn 2 has also been reported by Slebarski et al [18] from magnetic measurements. The result of absence of magnetic order down to 1.6 K in NdCu 2 Sn 2 is in conflict with our finding of magnetic order around 3 K in this material.…”

“…From neutron diffraction measurements, Baran et al have reported that in the magnetically ordered state, the moment on Pr in PrCu 2 Sn 2 to be 1.17µ B [17] which is smaller than the free Pr 3+ ion value of 3.2µ B . However, the µ eff in the paramagnetic state is same as that of the free Pr 3+ ion.…”

“…We, therefore, prepared one more independent batch of NdCu 2 Sn 2 as well as PrCu 2 Sn 2 , annealed them at 800 K for 1 week as reported in Ref. [17] and measured the heat capacity of these samples. The heat capacity peak was reproduced in this batch of samples also, confirming the occurrence of bulk magnetic order in NdCu 2 Sn 2 .…”