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Superconductivity, magnetism, and intermediate-valence phenomena in rare earth transition metal borides

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5392932

An investigation of the interplay between long-range magnetic order and superconductivity in pseudoternary Ho(Rh/sub 1-x/Ir/sub x/)/sub 4/B/sub 4/ and Dy(Rh/sub 1-x/Ir/sub x/)/sub 4/B/sub 4/ systems was carried out by means of low temperature specific heat measurements. The properties of the intermediate valent compounds CeT/sub 3/B/sub 2/ and UT/sub 3/B/sub 2/ (T = CO, Ru, Rh, and Ir), as well as the behavior of superconductivity and ferromagnetism in pseudoternary Ce(Ru/sub 1-x/Rh/sub x/)/sub 3/B/sub 2/ compounds, were characterized by low temperature specific heat, electrical resistivity, and magnetic measurements. A low temperature phase diagram vs alloy composition was determined for Ho(Rh/sub 1-x/Ir/sub x/)/sub 4/B/sub 4/. The specific heat features associated with long-range ordering of the Ho/sup +3/ magnetic moments suggest mean field theory ferromagnetism for x less than or equal to 0.2. Antiferromagnetic ordering was observed for x greater than or equal to 0.2 and antiferromagnetic spin wave behavior was found for the ordered Ho/sup +3/ moments for x greater than or equal to 0.5. Unusual magnetic ordering occurs for 0.275 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.4 including two distinct magnetic transitions. The compound CeRh/sub 3/B/sub 2/ exhibits ferromagnetic ordering for T less than or equal to 113 K with a saturation magnetic moment 0.37 ..mu../sub B/ per formula unit, while CeRu/sub 3/B/sub 2/ exhibits superconductivity below 0.68 K. Values of the electronic specific heat coefficient ..gamma.. for the compounds range from 9.7 mJ/mol-K/sup 2/ for CeCo/sub 3/B/sub 2/ to 64 mJ/mol-K/sup 2/ for UIr/sub 3/B/sub 2/. A phase diagram of the transition temperatures vs alloy composition was determined for Ce(Ru/sub 1-x/Rh/sub x/)/sub 3/B/sub 2/. Superconductivity of CeRu/sub 3/B/sub 2/ disappears for Rh substitution x greater than or equal to 0.38.

Research Organization:
California Univ., San Diego (USA)
OSTI ID:
5392932
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English