Growth routes for synthesizing the YbCd1-xSb2 intermetallic compounds

Resumo

Previous results in the family of heavy-fermion intermetallics RTBi2 (R = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd; T = Cu, Au) and CeCd0,7Sb2 compounds show that the crystalline electrical field (CEF) effects play a crucial role in the strong competition between ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions. Moreover, the magnetic phases of these compounds appear to be highly influenced by the dimensionality of the system. These Ce-based compounds display highly localized Ce3+ ions, which have one electron in their ground state (2F5/2). The strong localization of Ce 4f electrons in those systems may reduce the chance of tuning their ground states towards unconventional superconductivity. A possible path is to look for stronger hybridization between the 4f and conduction electrons, possibly the less explored Yb- based analogues. In this work we report the growth and characterization of single crystals of the intermetallic compound YbCd1-xSb2. This compound was synthesized with different Cd concentrations, using the Sb self-flux technique. Its physical properties were investigated, and the results suggest an AFM phase with Tn ~ 3 K and heavy-fermion behavior. In order to understand the role of the CEF effects in the properties of this system, we have also performed preliminary studies of CEF effects. Finally, we discuss the magnetism and other physical properties of the YbCdSb2 compound based in the Cd stoichiometry dependency and CEF effects.