Single crystal synthesis and magnetic properties of a Shastry-Sutherland lattice compound BaNd2ZnS5

TL;DR

This study reports the synthesis of single crystals of BaNd2ZnS5, a Shastry-Sutherland lattice compound, and investigates its magnetic properties, revealing antiferromagnetic order and field-induced metamagnetic transitions.

Contribution

First synthesis of BaNd2ZnS5 single crystals and detailed characterization of its magnetic properties and phase transitions.

Findings

BaNd2ZnS5 orders antiferromagnetically at 2.9 K.

Metamagnetic transitions occur at ~15 kOe and ~21 kOe for different directions.

Magnetic entropy indicates a double ground state for Nd ions.

Abstract

Single crystals of a Shastry-Sutherland magnetic semiconductor, BaNd2ZnS5, were synthesized through a high-temperature solution growth technique. Physical properties were characterized by powder and single crystal x-ray diffraction, temperature- and field-dependent magnetization, and temperature-dependent specific heat measurements. BaNd2ZnS5 orders antiferromagnetically at 2.9 K, with magnetic moments primarily aligned within the ab-plane. Magnetic isothermal measurements show metamagnetic transitions at ~ 15 kOe for the [110] direction and ~ 21 kOe for the [100] direction. Estimated magnetic entropy suggests a double ground state for each Nd ion.