Physical properties of the vanadium-based kagome metals YV₆Sn₆ and GdV₆Sn₆

The vanadium-based kagome metals YV6Sn6 and GdV6Sn6 are synthesized using a flux-based crystal growth technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetization, magnetotransport, and heat capacity measurements are carried out to study the physical and magnetic properties of these compounds. XRD data reveal a network of V-ions coordinated by Sn that are separated by triangular lattice planes of rare-earth ions. The onset of low-temperature, likely noncollinear, magnetic order of Gd spins is detected in GdV6Sn6, while V-ions in both compounds remain nonmagnetic. They exhibit high mobility, multiband transport and present an interesting platform for controlling the interplay between magnetic order associated with the R-site sublattice and nontrivial band topology associated with the V-based kagome network. Our results invite future exploration of other RV6Sn6 (R=rare earth) variants where this interplay can be tuned via R-site substitution.