Superconductivity, Magnetism, and Atomic Rattling Phenomena in R3Rh4Ge13 (R=Y, Yb, Lu) |
| A.M. Strydom
Highly Correlated Matter Research Group, Physics Department, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa |
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| We give a first report of the physical properties of the pair of cubic intermetallic compounds R3Rh4Ge13, with R being either Yb or Lu. The crystal structure can be described in terms of 3 atomic cages, and we reveal how certain thermal physical properties are inherent to this particular atomic layout. Close to room temperature, Yb3Rh4Ge13 displays strong paramagnetism originating from Yb3+ ions, but upon cooling though 100 K the magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity behave according to a thermally driven valence instability, and we classify Yb3Rh4Ge13 therefore as an intermediate valent f-electron system. Lu3Rh4Ge13 behaves in a diamagnetic manner throughout our accessible temperature range, - first with a weakly temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility below room temperature, and finally with a precipitous drop in the electrical resistivity to zero at 2.5 K when superconductivity sets in. |
DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.126.318 PACS numbers: 75.30.Mb, 75.40.Cx, 63.20.-e, 71.20.Eh |