Random magnetic anisotropy in a new compound $\mbox{Sm}_2\mbox{Ag}\mbox{Si}_3$

TL;DR

This study characterizes a new compound, Sm2AgSi3, revealing its crystal structure, ferromagnetic transition at 14 K, significant magnetic anisotropy, and crystal electric field effects through comprehensive experimental measurements.

Contribution

First detailed investigation of the structural and magnetic properties of Sm2AgSi3, highlighting its ferromagnetism, magnetic anisotropy, and crystal electric field effects.

Findings

Crystallizes in ThSi2-type tetragonal structure

Exhibits ferromagnetic order at 14 K

Shows large magnetic anisotropy and Schottky anomaly

Abstract

We report the experimental study on the structural and magnetic properties of a new ternary intermetallic compound $\mathrm{Sm_2AgSi_3}$. The properties of the sample were investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction, dc-magnetization, and heat capacity measurements. The polycrystalline compound of $\mathrm{Sm_2AgSi_3}$ crystallizes in the $\mathrm{ThSi_2}$-type tetragonal structure (space group ${I_{4_1}/amd}$). The temperature-dependent dc-magnetization and heat capacity results demonstrate that the compound undergoes ferromagnetic behaviour with a Curie temperature ($T_C$) of 14 K. The large coercive field in hysteresis loops and the thermomagnetic irreversibility in the ferromagnetic region revealed that the compound exhibits a large magnetic anisotropy. The magnitude of the applied field and the coercivity obtained from the M-H loops corroborate with the thermomagnetic irreversibility in the magnetization data. The magnetic contribution of the heat capacity reveals a broad Schottky-type anomaly above $T_C$, due to the presence of the crystal electric field effect of $\mathrm{Sm^{3+}}$ in $\mathrm{Sm_2AgSi_3}$.