Localized f-electron magnetism in the semimetal Ce3Bi4Au3

Abstract

Ce${}_3$Bi${}_4$Au${}_3$ crystallizes in the same non-centrosymmetric cubic structure as the prototypical Kondo insulator Ce${}_3$Bi${}_4$Pt${}_3$. Here we report the physical properties of Ce${}_3$Bi${}_4$Au${}_3$ single crystals using magnetization, thermodynamic, and electrical-transport measurements. Magnetic-susceptibility and heat-capacity data reveal antiferromagnetic (AFM) order below $T_N=3.2$ K. The magnetic entropy $S_{\mathrm{mag}}$ reaches $R$ln2 slightly above $T_N$, which suggests localized $4f$-moments in a doublet ground state. Multiple field-induced magnetic transitions are observed at temperatures below $T_N$, which indicate a complex spin structure with competing interactions. Ce${}_3$Bi${}_4$Au${}_3$ shows semimetallic behavior in electrical resistivity measurements in contrast to the majority of reported Cerium-based 343 compounds. Electrical-resistivity measurements under hydrostatic pressure reveal a slight enhancement of $T_N$ under pressures up to 2.3 GPa, which supports a scenario wherein Ce${}_3$Bi${}_4$Au${}_3$ belongs to the far left of the Doniach phase diagram dominated by Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interactions. Using realistic many-body simulations, we confirm the semi-metallic electronic structure of Ce${}_3$Bi${}_4$Au${}_3$ and quantitatively reproduce its local moment behavior in the paramagnetic state.

10 pages, 10 figures

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Cited by in corpus (1)

• Magnetization plateau and anisotropic magnetoresistance in the frustrated Kondo-lattice compound Ce3ScBi5