Characteristic Physical Properties of the Non-Kramers Γ3 Ground State in PrPt2Cd20

• Published in: Journal of the Physical Society of Japan 2017-07, Vol.86 (7)
• Main Authors: Hirose, Yusuke, Takeuchi, Tetsuya, Doto, Hiroshi, Honda, Fuminori, Miyake, Atsushi, Tokunaga, Masashi, Yoshizawa, Daichi, Kida, Takanori, Hagiwara, Masayuki, Haga, Yoshinori, Settai, Rikio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Approximation; Crystal structure; Electrical resistivity; Energy; Entropy; Ground state; Magnetic fields; Magnetization; Magnetization curves; Physical properties; Specific heat; Symmetry; Temperature
• ISSN: 0031-9015; 1347-4073
• DOI: 10.7566/JPSJ.86.074711

The 4f crystalline electric field (CEF) of the Pr3+ ion of PrPt2Cd20 with a cubic crystal structure has been studied by measuring its high-field magnetization up to 45 T, specific heat in a wide temperature range in magnetic fields, and electrical resistivity. Magnetization curves for the magnetic field along the [100] and [110] directions show metamagnetic-like features at approximately 1.5 and 15 T, respectively. The specific heat shows a Schottky peak centered at 2.4 K. These experimental results were explained well by the CEF scheme with the non-Kramers Γ3 doublet ground state with a small overall CEF splitting energy of about 40 K. The specific heat also shows another broad peak below 1 K with an associated entropy release of R ln 2. This peak was interpreted by a split of the Γ3 doublet ground state with an energy of Δ = 0.4 K. These results suggest that the local symmetry of the Pr site is lowered from a cubic one. The possible reasons for this symmetry lowering are discussed.