Suppression of a possible spin-density wave transition in Cr₂GaN by Ge doping

Abstract

We have successfully synthesized and investigated the compound with a space group. By chemical doping, we substituted gallium element with germanium element in the system. The solubility limit of germanium element is about = 0.25 in . The lattice parameter of -axis becomes larger, while -axis becomes smaller with doping germanium. In CrGaN, there is a phase transition at 170 K as revealed by both resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements at ambient pressure, this transition could correspond to a possible spin-density wave ordering transition. The electrical transport and magnetic behaviours show very similar properties to that of the parent compounds of iron-based superconductors. By doping germanium to the system, the possible SDW transition was successfully suppressed. While with the application of a hydrostatic pressure up to 1.1 GPa, the transition temperature does not show a clear change. No superconductivity was observed in either Ge-doped sample or under a hydrostatic pressure.

Keywords:

• Cr₂GaN
• chemical doping
• high-pressure
• spin density wave
• superconductivity

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Xiang Ma and Dong Sheng for EDX element analysis.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by NSF of China, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (973 projects: [2011CBA00102, 2012CB821403]) and PAPD.