Low temperature characterization of single crystalline Ce₂Ni₂In

Materials with the R₂T₂X (R = Ce,Yb; T=transition metal; X=main group element) stoichiometry span an extensive (~40) class of compounds. The underlying interactions of these tetragonal systems leads typically to dimerization of the 4f magnetic moments associated with the R ions. These materials feature a broad range of physics, ranging from valence fluctuations, non-Fermi liquid behavior and heavy fermion ground states. Most recently fractional excitations have been observed in inelastic neutron scattering experiments performed on Yb₂Pt₂Pb. In this talk we will introduce Ce₂Ni₂In, as a new single crystalline addition to the 221 family of materials. We will discuss its synthesis, general characterization, measurements of the specific heat as well as directional dependent measurements of the magnetic susceptibility and electrical transport from room temperature down to 50 mK.