Cluster spin-glass ground state in quasi-one-dimensional KCr${}_3$As${}_3$

Abstract

We report structural and physical properties of a new quasi-one-dimensional Cr-based compound, KCr${}_3$As${}_3$, which is prepared by potassium deintercalation from the superconductive K${}_2$Cr${}_3$As${}_3$. KCr${}_3$As${}_3$ adopts the TlFe${}_3$Te${}_3$-type structure with space group $P{6}_3$/$m$ (No. 176). The high-temperature magnetic susceptibility obeys the Curie-Weiss law with an effective magnetic moment of 0.68 $\hat{I}{¼}_{\mathrm{B}}$/Cr. Below 56 K the susceptibility deviates from the high-temperature Curie-Weiss behavior, coinciding with the rapid increase in resistivity, which suggests formation of spin clusters. The short-range spin correlations are also supported by the specific-heat data. The title material does not exhibit bulk superconductivity; instead, it shows a cluster spin-glass state below $\sim$ 5 K.

5 pages, 4 figures