DOE OSTI2014
The compound NdAuGe was investigated by means of electrical resistivity, ρ(T), magnetic susceptibility, χ(T), magnetization, σ(μ{sub 0}H), and specific heat, C{sub p}(T), measurements. Powder X-ray diffraction studies confirm a hexagonal LiGaGe-type structure with space group P6{sub 3}mc (No. 186). ρ(T) data show normal metallic behaviour and a tendency toward saturation at higher temperatures. The low temperature ρ(T) data indicate a phase transition around 3.8 K. The low field dc χ(T) data show an antiferromagnetic anomaly associated with a Néel temperature at T{sub N} = 3.7 K close to the phase transition observed in ρ(T) results. At higher temperatures, χ(T) follows the paramagnetic Curie-Weiss behaviour with an effective magnetic moment μ{sub eff}=3.546(4) μ{sub B} and a paramagnetic Weiss temperature of θ{sub p}=−6.1(4) K. The value obtained for μ{sub eff} is close to the value of 3.62 μ{sub B} expected for the free Nd{sup 3+}-ion. σ(μ{sub 0}H) shows a linear behaviour with applied field up to 3 T with an evidence of metamagnetic behaviour above 3 T. C{sub p}(T) confirms the magnetic phase transition at T{sub N} = 3.4 K. The 4f-electron specific heat indicates a Schottky-type anomaly around 16.5 K with energy splitting Δ{sub 1}=25.8(4) K and Δ{sub 2}=50.7(4) K of the Nd{sup 3+} (J = 9/2) multiplet, that are associated with, respectively, the first and second excited states of the Nd{sup 3+}-ion.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗