Anisotropic magnetization and resistivity of single crystalline RNi1-xBi2+-y (R = La-Nd, Sm, Gd-Dy)

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic and electrical properties of RNi1-xBi2+-y single crystals, revealing antiferromagnetic order and anisotropies, but no bulk superconductivity despite minor phase contamination.

Contribution

It provides detailed measurements of anisotropies and magnetic ordering temperatures in RNi1-xBi2+-y compounds, highlighting their magnetic behavior and absence of bulk superconductivity.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic ordering observed at low temperatures.

Anisotropies characterized for different R elements.

No evidence of bulk superconductivity despite minor phase contamination.

Abstract

We present a detailed study of RNi1-xBi2+-y (R = La-Nd, Sm, Gd-Dy) single crystals by measurements of stoichiometry and temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and electrical resistivity. This series forms with partial Ni occupancy as well as a variable Bi occupancy. For R = Ce-Nd, Sm, Gd-Dy, the RNi1-xBi2+-y compounds show local-moment like behavior and order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures. Determination of anisotropies as well as antiferromagnetic ordering temperatures for RNi1-xBi2+-y (R = Ce-Nd, Sm, Gd-Dy) have been made. Although crystalline samples from this family exhibit minority, second phase superconductivity at low temperatures associated with Ni-Bi and Bi contamination, no evidence of bulk superconductivity has been observed.