Bulk properties and electronic structure of PuFeAsO

TL;DR

This study investigates the bulk properties and electronic structure of PuFeAsO, revealing an antiferromagnetic transition at 50 K and structural similarities to rare-earth RFeAsO compounds with larger ions.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed measurements and calculations of PuFeAsO, highlighting its magnetic transition and structural resemblance to related iron-based superconductors.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic transition at 50 K

No anomalies observed down to 2 K

Structural similarity to RFeAsO compounds with larger R ions

Abstract

Here we present bulk property measurements and electronic structure calculations for PuFeAsO, an actinide analogue of the iron-based rare-earth superconductors RFeAsO. Magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity data suggest the occurrence of an antiferromagnetic transition at TN=50 K. No further anomalies have been observed down to 2 K, the minimum temperature that we have been able to achieve. Structural measurements indicate that PuFeAsO, with its more localized 5f electrons, bears a stronger resemblance to the RFeAsO compounds with larger R ions, than NpFeAsO does.