Crystal structure and magnetic properties of YbCuPbSe3

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2006-03, Vol.413 (1-2), p.26-28
• Main Authors: GULAY, L. D, KACZOROWSKI, D, PIETRASZKO, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Inorganic compounds; Magnetic properties and materials; Physics; Spin arrangements in magnetically ordered materials (including neutron and spin-polarized electron studies, synchrotron-source x-ray scattering, etc.); Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Structure of specific crystalline solids
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2005.06.076

The crystal structure of the compound YbCuPbSe3 has been investigated by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction and refined down to R, =0.0384, wR, = 0.0627. It is of the beta-BaLaCuSe3 type, space group Pnma, Pearson symbol oP24. The lattice parameters are: a=1.0407(2) nm, b=0.40350(8) nm and c= 1.3401(3) nm. Characteristic units in the structure are chains of Yb-centered octahedra, Cucentered tetrahedra and columns of Pb-centered trigonal prisms aligned along the gamma-axis. Magnetic measurements have revealed an almost trivalent state of Yb ions with pronounced crystal field effect at low temperatures. At 6 K, the magnetic susceptibility of YbCuPbSe3 exhibits a broad maximum that presumably signals the onset of antiferromagnetic ordering.