Electronic properties of LaTE2Ge2 (TE = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Ru)

Nonmagnetic germanides LaTE2Ge2 with TE = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Ru were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, magnetization and electrical resistivity measurements performed down to 2 K, supplemented by fully relativistic band structure and Fermi surface calculations. Results of the theoretical investigations of all the compounds are in line with the experimental findings, namely they show decreasing influence of 3d-electrons of the Fe, Co, Ni and Cu atoms on the electronic properties with increasing the atomic mass. In the case of LaFe2Ge2 the electrical resistivity measurements strongly suggest presence of spin fluctuations, which make that system very similar to the unconventional superconductor YFe2Ge2.