Magnetism and superconductivity in Y1−xTbxNi2B2C single crystals

Abstract

The magnetic and superconducting properties in a series of pseudo-quaternary compounds Y1−xTbxNi2B2C were investigated by the temperature-dependent magnetization M(T) for applied field parallel and perpendicular to the c axis and by in-plane resistivity, ρ(T). There was a large anisotropy in M(T), which is attributed to the crystalline electric field effects. As the Tb concentration x is increased, the superconducting transition temperature Tc decreases and disappears rapidly in the vicinity of x=0.4 while the Néel temperature TN appears abruptly near x=0.4 and increases with Tb content. In addition, the increase of M(T) at low temperatures below TN was observed for x>~0.4, of which the onset temperature TWF is regarded as development of weak-ferromagnetic component. TWF was also in proportion to the Tb content x accompanied by TN. The linear decrease of Tc for dilute Tb concentration seems to follow an Abrikosov-Gor’kov expectation, while the sudden destruction of Tc near x=0.4 seems to have close correlation with the emergence of magnetic states, i.e., antiferromagnetic and weak-ferromagnetic states. Possible scenarios for the correlation are discussed.

Source-reported materials — not catalogue approval

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