Peculiar Magnetism of UAu$_{2}$Si$_{2}$

TL;DR

This study investigates the unusual magnetic behavior of UAu₂Si₂, revealing a second-order phase transition to an uncompensated antiferromagnetic state with itinerant 5f electrons and parasitic ferromagnetism below 50 K.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed characterization of UAu₂Si₂'s magnetic, thermal, and transport properties, highlighting its unique magnetic phase transition and electronic correlations.

Findings

UAu₂Si₂ undergoes a second-order transition at 19 K.

Displays an uncompensated antiferromagnetic phase with spontaneous magnetization.

Exhibits itinerant 5f electron behavior with enhanced electronic specific heat.

Abstract

Single-crystalline UAu$_2$Si$_2$ has been grown by a floating-zone melting method, and its magnetic, thermal and transport properties have been investigated through measurements of magnetization, specific heat and electrical resistivity to reveal its peculiar magnetism. It is shown that UAu$_2$Si$_2$ undergoes a second-order phase transition at \tm = 19 K, which had been believed to be ferromagnetic ordering in the literature, from a paramagnetic phase to an uncompensated antiferromagnetic phase with spontaneous magnetization along the tetragonal $c$-axis (the easy magnetization direction). The magnetic entropy analysis points to the itinerant character of 5f electrons in the magnetic ordered state of UAu$_2$Si$_2$ with large enhancement of the electronic specific heat coefficient of $\gamma$ $\sim$ 150 mJ/K$^2$mol at 2 K. It also reveals the relatively isotropic crystalline electric field effect of this compound, with contrast to the other relative isostructural compounds. The observed magnetization curves strongly suggest that there is a parasitic ferromagnetic component developing below $\sim$ 50 K in high coercivity with the easy axis along the tetragonal $c$-axis. The results are discussed in the context of evolution of magnetism within the entire family of isostructural U$T_2$Si$_2$ compounds.