Transport, magnetic, and thermal properties of non-centrosymmetric Yb₂Co₁₂P₇

Abstract

We report magnetization and specific heat measurements down to 2 K and electrical resistivity down to millikelvin temperatures on polycrystalline samples of the non-centrosymmetric compound Yb₂Co₁₂P₇. In addition to the previously reported ferromagnetic ordering of the cobalt sub-lattice at T _C  = 136 K we find a magnetic transition below T _M  = 5 K that is likely associated with ordering of the Yb ions. The broad nature of the specific heat anomaly suggests disordered magnetism and possible short-range correlations well above T_M .

Keywords:

• ferromagnetism
• strongly correlated electrons
• metallic systems

Acknowledgements

Synthesis and screening for superconductivity were carried out under the auspices of AFOSR-MURI, Grant FA9550-09-1-0603. Physical properties characterization was supported by the Department of Energy (DOE), Grant DE-FG02-04-ER46105. Dilution refrigerator measurements were supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Grant DMR-0802478. M. Janoschek gratefully acknowledges financial support by the Alexander von Humboldt foundation.