Crystalline electric fields and the magnetic ground state of the novel Heusler intermetallic YbRh$_{2}$Pb

TL;DR

This study investigates a newly synthesized Heusler intermetallic YbRh₂Pb, revealing its magnetic ordering at very low temperatures and the effects of crystal electric fields and magnetic fields on its ground state.

Contribution

The paper reports the synthesis and detailed characterization of a novel Yb-based Heusler compound, highlighting its magnetic properties and the influence of crystal electric fields.

Findings

YbRh₂Pb orders magnetically below 0.57 K

Crystal electric field splitting is significant in this compound

Magnetic field suppresses the magnetic order

Abstract

We have synthesized a new intermetallic compound with a distorted Heusler structure, YbRh$_{2}$Pb. We present a study of the magnetic, thermal, and transport properties. Heat capacity measurements revealed that YbRh$_{2}$Pb orders magnetically below T$_{N}$=0.57 K from a paramagnetic state with substantial crystal electric field splitting. Magnetic field further splits the ground state, which leads to the suppression of magnetic order in YbRh$_{2}$Pb.