Electronic structure and magnetic properties of the magnetically ordered intermediate valent Ce5RuGe2

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 767; pp. 512 - 521
• Main Authors: Skornia, Paweł, Goraus, Jerzy, Fijałkowski, Marcin, Ślebarski, Andrzej
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30-10-2018
• Subjects: Electronic band structure; Magnetization; Rare earth alloys and compounds; Thermodynamic properties; Magnetization; Thermodynamic properties; Rare earth alloys and compounds; Electronic band structure
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.07.076

We report here a comprehensive investigations of the band structure, magnetic properties, electrical transport, and specific-heat for ternary compound Ce5RuGe2 that crystallize in orthorhombic Y2HfS5-type structure. The results show a complex magnetic structure with the field-induced metamagnetic transitions in coexistence with spin-glass-like phase, displayed in the magnetic H−T phase diagram. Simultaneously, a combined experimental and theoretical study based on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data together with ab initio band structure calculations indicate a mixed valence of Ce due to strong hybridization between Ce 4f states and conduction band. The obtained magnetic ground state of Ce5RuGe2, resulting from localized f-electron states and accompanying strong hybridization effect leading to valence instability of cerium ions are rarely observed for Ce-based intermetallic compounds.
•A comprehensive investigations of the band structure, magnetic properties, electrical transport, and specific-heat for Ce5RuGe2.•We document partial filling of the 4f shell in coexistence with magnetic order.•We present the H-T diagram.