Magnetic field induced antiferromagnetic tricritical points in Ce${}_2$Sb and Ce${}_2$Bi

Abstract

We present a detailed investigation of the physical properties of Ce${}_2$Sb and Ce${}_2$Bi single crystals, which undergo antiferromagnetic transitions at around 8.2 and 10 K respectively. When magnetic fields are applied parallel to the $c$ axis, metamagnetic transitions are observed at low temperatures, corresponding to a magnetic field-induced phase transition. It is found that the field-induced transition changes from second-order at higher temperatures, to first-order at low temperatures, suggesting the existence of tricritical points (TCPs) in both compounds. Since replacing Bi with Sb suppresses the TCP to lower temperatures and corresponds to a positive chemical pressure, these results suggest that applying pressure to Ce${}_2$Sb may suppress the TCP to lower temperatures, potentially to zero temperature at a quantum tricritical point.

8 pages, 9 figures

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