Field-induced magnetic transitions in the quasi-two-dimensional heavy-fermion antiferromagnets Ce{sub n}RhIn{sub 3n+2} (n=1 or 2)

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 2001 · Physical Review B

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.64.144411· OSTI ID:40277680

Cornelius, A L; Pagliuso, P G; Hundley, M F; Sarrao, J L

We have measured the field-dependent heat capacity in the tetragonal antiferromagnets CeRhIn{sub 5} and Ce{sub 2}RhIn{sub 8}, both of which have an enhanced value of the electronic specific heat coefficient {gamma}{approx}400 mJ/mol Ce K{sup 2} above T{sub N}. For T<T{sub N}, the specific heat data at zero applied magnetic field are consistent with the existence of an anisotropic spin-density wave opening a gap in the Fermi surface for CeRhIn{sub 5}, while Ce{sub 2}RhIn{sub 8} shows behavior consistent with a simple antiferromagnetic magnon. From these results, the magnetic structure, in a manner similar to the crystal structure, appears more two dimensional in CeRhIn{sub 5} than in Ce{sub 2}RhIn{sub 8} where only about 12% of the Fermi surface remains ungapped relative to 92% for Ce{sub 2}RhIn{sub 8}. When B||c, both compounds behave in a manner expected for heavy-fermion systems as both T{sub N} and the electronic heat capacity decrease as field is applied. When the field is applied in the tetragonal basal plane (B||a), CeRhIn{sub 5} and Ce{sub 2}RhIn{sub 8} have very similar phase diagrams which contain both first- and second-order field-induced magnetic transitions.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-00ER45835
• OSTI ID: 40277680
• Journal Information: Physical Review B, Journal Name: Physical Review B Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 64; ISSN 0163-1829
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELECTRONIC SPECIFIC HEAT
FERMI LEVEL
MAGNETIC FIELDS
OPENINGS
PHASE DIAGRAMS
SPECIFIC HEAT