Growth and characterization of CePtIn single crystal

• CePtIn single crystal was prepared by Czochralski method without success due to incongruent growth of this compound.
• The CePtIn single crystal was grown by floating zone method.
• The structure and chemical characterization and temperature stability of prepared single crystal were done.
• The incongruence of CePtIn is discussed in details as well as the results of X-ray and neutron diffraction, EDX and DSC measurements.

CePtIn crystallizes in a hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure and exhibits the properties varying between the magnetically ordered state and valence fluctuating state. The competition between RKKY and Kondo interaction in this compound is most significant among the CeTX family. Moreover, the signs of non-Fermi liquid behavior are observed in specific heat and electrical resistivity measurements at low temperatures. Until now all properties have been measured only on polycrystals, often with suspicion of foreign phase in the samples. The preparation of CePtIn single crystal as well as its structure and chemical characterization are presented in detail in this paper.