Probing the stability of Shastry Sutherland lattice in Er2Pd2Sn and Er2Pd2In

The group of 221 compounds crystalizing in the Mo2FeB2 structure type, more commonly known as R2T2X intermetallic (R $=$ rare earth, T $=$ transition metal, X $=$main group), have been reinvestigated recently owing to the spin liquid state in the underlying Shastry Sutherland lattice (SSL) formed by the R [1, 2]. Our motivation in investigating this compound is to explore the interplay of frustration and quantum criticality. The present study we have selected less-investigated Er2Pd2In and Er2Pd2Sn. X-ray powder diffraction studies and subsequent Rietveld refinements confirmed that the compounds were phase-pure and crystallized in the tetragonal Mo2FeB2 structure. Both the compounds obeyed Curie-Weiss law in the paramagnetic regime, as judged from magnetic susceptibility data, which indicated antiferromagnetism. Specific heat data on both the compounds revealed a double peak indicating complex magnetic structure and phase transitions. We will present a detailed analysis of the magnetization and specific heat on both Er2Pd2(Sn/In) and motivate our future planned neutron diffraction experiment to determine the magnetic structure of these SSL compounds to probe for novel magnetic phases.