Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of YbAgAl, YbPdCd and YbPdCd

Dhar, S.*; Settai, Rikio*; Onuki, Yoshichika; Galatanu, A.*; Haga, Yoshinori   ; Manfrinetti, P.*; Pani, M.*

We report the synthesis of three new Yb-based compounds, YbAgAl, YbPdCd and YbPdCd. The crystal symmetry of these compounds has been determined and the complete structural characterisation carried out by single crystal and powder diffraction techniques. The 4f levels of the Yb ions are appreciably hybridised in YbAgAl and to a lesser extent in YbPdCd as inferred from the magnetisation and heat capacity data. Signatures of heavy fermion behaviour are observed in the heat capacity data of YbPdCd in which the heat capacity, , increases at low temperatures attaining a value of 600 mJ/molK at 1.8 K. The electrical resistivity of YbPdCd follows a linear variation with temperature, , between 1.4 and 5K, thus indicating a possible non-Fermi liquid behaviour. In contrast, Yb ions are trivalent in YbPdCd and order magnetically near 1.4 K.