Cluster-spin-glass behavior in new ternary RE₂PtGe₃ compounds (RE = Tb, Dy, Ho)

Abstract

Two new ternary germanides Tb2Pt1.2Ge2.8, Dy2Pt1.15Ge2.85 and one already known germanium Ho2Pt1.1Ge2.9.were synthesized using an arc melting technique. The obtained samples were investigated by powder x-ray diffraction, which indicated that all of them crystallized in a hexagonal structure with P6/mmm (no. 191) space group. This structure is a disordered variant of the AlB2 aristotype that favors the formation of a spin-glass-like state. The physical properties were examined by measuring magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity and electrical resistance. Experiments indicated that all of the compounds can be classified as cluster-spin-glasses with the freezing temperature of T f = 12.0 K, T f = 6.0 K and T f = 2.9 K for Tb2Pt1.2Ge2.8, Dy2Pt1.15Ge2.85 and Ho2Pt1.1Ge2.9 respectively.