Physical properties of quaternary compounds Gd₂CoAl₄T₂ (T= Si, Ge) single crystals

Abstract

We have synthesized and investigated physical properties of two new quaternary compounds Gd₂CoAl₄T₂ (T= Si, Ge) single crystals, which are isostructural to Tb₂NiAl₄Ge₂ and Er₂CoAl₄Ge₂. The most important structural feature of these materials is the anti-CaF₂-type CoAl₄T₂ slabs. These materials show metallic behavior below 300 K and there is a long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition appearing at 20 and 27 K for Gd₂CoAl₄Ge₂ and Gd₂CoAl₄Si₂, respectively. Resistivity and heat capacity measurements also confirm these bulk AFM transitions. Further analysis indicates that this long-range antiferromagnetism should result from the magnetic interaction between local moments of Gd³⁺ ions.

Keywords

magnetic materials / rare earth compounds / single crystal growth

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