A comparison of the structure and localized magnetism in Ce2PdGa12 with the heavy fermion CePdGa6

Single crystals of Ce2PdGa12 have been synthesized in Ga flux and characterized by X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallizes in the tetragonal P4/nbmP4/nbm space group, Z=2Z=2 with lattice parameters of a=6.1040(2)Å and c=15.5490(6)Å. It shows strongly anisotropic magnetism and orders antiferromagnetically at TN∼11 K. A field-induced metamagnetic transition to the ferromagnetic state is observed below TN. Structure–property relationships with the related heavy-fermion antiferromagnet CePdGa6 are discussed.

The CP/TCP/T vs. T2 plot is shown. The sudden jump in the specific heat at T2∼120 K corresponds to the magnetic transition at TN=11 K observed in magnetic susceptibility data. After fitting the data to CP=γT+αT3CP=γT+αT3, the electronic contribution to the specific heat, γ, is equal to 72 mJ/mol K2. Thus Ce2PdGa12 is not a likely candidate for heavy fermion behavior. The structure of Ce2PdGa12 is compared to the closely related structure of CePdGa6, which is a heavy fermion compound with γ∼230 mJ/mol K2. The structure of Ce2PdGa12 is shown as the inset where Ce, Pd, and Ga are shown as black, gray, and white circles, respectively. The unit cell is shown as a solid line.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide