Correlation between charge density waves and antiferromagnetism in Nd$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$NiC$_2$ solid solution

TL;DR

This study investigates how charge density waves and antiferromagnetism evolve and interact in the Nd$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$NiC$_2$ series, revealing a cooperative relationship influenced by Fermi surface nesting and RKKY interactions.

Contribution

It demonstrates the violation of de Gennes law and uncovers a strong correlation between charge density wave and antiferromagnetic transition temperatures in the series.

Findings

Violation of de Gennes law observed.

Strong correlation between Peierls, Néel, and Curie-Weiss temperatures.

Results align with the T_CDW trend in RNiC2 family phase diagram.

Abstract

We report a study on the evolution of a charge density wave and antiferromagnetism in the series of the polycrystalline solid solution Nd$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$NiC$_2$ (0 $\leq$ x $\leq$ 1) by means of magnetic and transport properties measurements. The experimental results reveal the violation of the de Gennes law and a strong correlation between the Peierls, N\'eel and Curie-Weiss temperatures, which strongly suggests a cooperative interaction between the charge density wave state and antiferromagnetism due to Fermi surface nesting enhancement of the RKKY interaction. We also find that, the obtained results for the Nd$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$NiC$_2$ (0 $\leq$ x $\leq$ 1) series overlap with the $T_{CDW}$ trend line in the phase diagram for RNiC$_2$ family.