Synthesis and anisotropic magnetism of singlecrystalline GdPt2Si2

TL;DR

This study reports the synthesis of single-crystalline GdPt2Si2, revealing complex magnetic transitions, anisotropic magnetism, and magnetic fluctuations, contributing to understanding magnetism in RPt2Si2 compounds.

Contribution

First detailed characterization of single-crystalline GdPt2Si2, including magnetic, electronic, and ESR properties, highlighting anisotropic magnetism and magnetic fluctuations.

Findings

Double magnetic transition at 8.4 K and 6.8 K.

Field-induced metamagnetic transition at 2 K.

Magnetic fluctuations increase at high temperatures.

Abstract

Single crystals of GdPt$_2$Si$_2$ were grown using the Sn flux method, crystallizing in the CaBe$_2$Ge$_2$-type tetragonal structure with space group $P4/nmm$. Electrical resistivity, specific heat, and magnetization data revealed the presence of a double magnetic transition with $T_N \approx 8.4$~K and $T_0 \approx 6.8$~K. Analysis of the specific heat data suggest amplitude-modulated and equal-moment antiferromagnetic orderings, respectively. Field-induced magnetization and magnetic susceptibility data show a metamagnetic transition in the $H \parallel a$ direction at 2~K, as well as the suppression of the magnetic transition located at $T_0$ with increasing external magnetic field. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) shows the Gd$^{3+}$ resonance followed by a small second resonance. Peak-to-peak linewidth ($\Delta H_{pp}$) analysis reveals slight broadening at $T \sim 120$~K, indicating an increase in magnetic fluctuations at high temperatures. Ferromagnetic (FM) local polarization at high temperatures is also observed through the $g$-factor analysis, which shows a notable positive shift ($\Delta g$). Our results establish the fundamental physical properties of this material to aid in further understanding of the magnetism in the RPt$_2$Si$_2$ series and related non-centrosymmetric systems.