# Superzone gap formation and low lying crystal electric field levels in PrPd$_2$Ge$_2$ single crystal

## TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic anisotropy, superzone gap formation, and crystal electric field levels in PrPd₂Ge₂ single crystals, revealing a low-temperature antiferromagnetic order, a superzone gap along [001], and a CEF-induced metamagnetic transition at high fields.

## Contribution

It provides detailed insights into the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, superzone gap formation, and CEF level structure in PrPd₂Ge₂, highlighting the role of CEF effects in magnetic transitions.

## Key findings

- Antiferromagnetic order at 5.1 K with [001] as easy axis
- Superzone gap observed along [001] direction
- Metamagnetic transition at 34 T due to CEF level crossing

## Abstract

The magnetocrystalline anisotropy exhibited in PrPd$_2$Ge$_2$ single crystal has been investigated by measuring the magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity and heat capacity. PrPd$_2$Ge$_2$ crystallizes in the well known ThCr$_2$Si$_2$\--type tetragonal structure. The antiferromagnetic ordering is confirmed as 5.1~K with the [001]-axis as the easy axis of magnetization. A superzone gap formation is observed from the electrical resistivity measurement when the current is passed along the [001] direction. The crystal electric field (CEF) analysis on the magnetic susceptibility, magnetization and the heat capacity measurements confirms a doublet ground state with a relatively low over all CEF level splitting. The CEF level spacings and the Zeeman splitting at high fields become comparable and lead to metamagnetic transition at 34~T due to the CEF level crossing.