Magnetocrystalline anisotropy and antiferromagnetic phase transition in PrRh${}_2$Si${}_2$

Abstract

We present magnetic and transport properties of PrRh${}_2$Si${}_2$ single crystals which exhibit antiferromagnetic order below T${}_N$ = 68 K. Well defined anomalies due to magnetic phase transition are observed in magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, and specific heat data. The T${}_N$ of 68 K for PrRh${}_2$Si${}_2$ is much higher than 5.4 K expected on the basis of de-Gennes scaling. The magnetic susceptibility data reveal strong uniaxial anisotropy in this compound similar to that of PrCo${}_2$Si${}_2$. With increasing pressure T${}_N$ increases monotonically up to T${}_N$ = 71.5 K at 22.5 kbar.

12 pages, 6 figures