Resistivity and anisotropic magnetization of single crystalline $R$Ni$_{\mathrm{1-x}}$Bi$_{\mathrm{2\pm y}}$ (R $=$ La--Nd, Sm, Gd--Dy)

ORAL

Abstract

We present a detailed study of $R$Ni$_{\mathrm{1-x}}$Bi$_{\mathrm{2\pm y}}$ (R $=$ La--Nd, Sm, Gd--Dy) single crystals by measurements of temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and electrical resistivity. The isostructural compounds \textit{RT}Bi$_{2}$ and \textit{RT}Sb$_{\mathrm{2}}$ are known to have widths of formation, except for $T =$ Ag. The $R$Ni$_{\mathrm{1-x}}$Bi$_{\mathrm{2\pm y}}$ series forms with partial Ni occupancy as well as a variable Bi occupancy. For R $=$ Ce--Nd, Gd--Dy, the $R$Ni$_{\mathrm{1-x}}$Bi$_{\mathrm{2\pm y}}$ compounds show local-moment-like behavior and order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures. Determination of anisotropies as well as antiferromagnetic ordering temperatures for $R$Ni$_{\mathrm{1-x}}$Bi$_{\mathrm{2\pm y}}$ (R $=$ Ce--Nd, Sm, Gd--Dy) have been made. Although crystalline samples from this family exhibit minority, second phase, superconductivity at low temperatures associated with Ni-Bi and Bi contamination, no evidence of bulk superconductivity has been observed.

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Authors

  • X. Lin

    Iowa State University

  • Warren Straszheim

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames Laboratory, US DOE, Iowa State University

  • Sergey Bud'ko

    The Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, USA, Ames Laboratory U.S. DOE and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames Laboratory and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames Laboratory, US DOE, Iowa State University, Department of Physics, Iowa State University, Ames Laboratory, US DOE, and Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA

  • Paul Canfield

    Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University, The Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, USA, Ames Laboratory U.S. DOE and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames Laboratory, US DOE, Iowa State University, Department of Physics, Iowa State University, Iowa State University