Evolution of magnetism in LnCuGa3 (Ln = La–Nd, Sm–Gd) studied via μSR and specific heat

M. J. Graf, J. D. Hettinger, K. Nemeth, R. Dally, C. Baines, U. Subbarao, S. C. Peter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Muon spin rotation/relaxation (μSR) and specific heat measurements are presented for polycrystalline LnCuGa3, with Ln = La–Nd, and Sm–Gd. All materials undergo magnetic ordering transitions, apart from non-magnetic LaCuGa3, and PrCuGa3, which shows the onset of short range correlations below 3 K but no long-range magnetic order down to T = 25 mK. While magnetic order in the Ce and Nd compounds is incommensurate with the lattice, the order is commensurate for the Sm and Eu compounds. The strong damping in GdCuGa3 prevents us from determining the nature of magnetism in that system. SmCuGa3 exhibits two precessional frequencies, which appear at different temperatures, suggesting inhomogeneous magnetic ordering or a second magnetic/structural phase transition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)236-242
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials
Volume444
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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