Physical properties and magnetic structure of the intermetallic CeCuBi2 compound

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic and electronic properties of CeCuBi2, revealing antiferromagnetic order, a spin-flop transition, and weak heavy fermion behavior, using multiple experimental techniques.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive experimental analysis of CeCuBi2's magnetic structure and properties, highlighting its Ising antiferromagnetism and localized 4f electrons.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic ordering at ~16 K

Spin-flop transition at 5 K under 5.5 T

Weak heavy fermion behavior with localized Ce^3+ electrons

Abstract

In this work, we combined magnetization, pressure dependent electrical resistivity, heat-capacity, 63Cu Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and X-ray resonant magnetic scattering experiments to investigate the physical properties of the intermetallic CeCuBi2 compound. Our single crystals show an antiferromagnetic ordering at TN ~ 16 K and the magnetic properties indicate that this compound is an Ising antiferromagnet. In particular, the low temperature magnetization data revealed a spin-flop transition at T = 5 K when magnetic fields about 5.5 T are applied along the c-axis. Moreover, the X-ray magnetic diffraction data below TN revealed a commensurate antiferromagnetic structure with propagation wavevector (0 0 1/2) with the Ce^3+ moments oriented along the c-axis. Furthermore, our heat capacity, pressure dependent resistivity and temperature dependent 63Cu NMR data suggest that CeCuBi2 exhibits a weak heavy fermion behavior with strongly localized Ce^3+ 4f electrons. We thus discuss a scenario taking into account the anisotropic magnetic interaction between the Ce^3+ ions along with the tetragonal crystalline electric field effects in CeCuBi2.