Easy-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy in the multi-step metamagnet CeIr3Si2

A Ce-based metallic compound CeCoSi with a tetragonal structure exhibits successive phase transitions: the one whose order parameter is unidentified at T_0 = 12 K and the antiferromagnetic one at T_N = 9.4 K. We performed specific heat, magnetoresistivity (MR), and magnetization measurements for a single crystal CeCoSi at low temperatures in magnetic fields B of up to 14 T and constructed detailed magnetic field--temperature phase diagrams for both B || [100] and [001]. The l...

We report anisotropic resistivity measurements of the heavy-fermion superconductor CeRh$_2$As$_2$ in magnetic fields up to 16 T and temperatures down to 0.35 K. The measured CeRh$_2$As$_2$ resistivity shows a signature corresponding to the suggested quadrupole density wave order state at $T_0 \sim$ 0.5 K for both measured directions. For a magnetic field applied along the tetragonal $a$ axis, $T_0$ is enhanced with magnetic field reaching $\sim$1.75 K at 16 T. Further, a magn...

We investigated the anisotropic magnetic properties of CePd$_2$As$_2$ by magnetic, thermal and electrical transport studies. X-ray diffraction confirmed the tetragonal ThCr$_2$Si$_2$-type structure and the high-quality of the single crystals. Magnetisation and magnetic susceptibility data taken along the different crystallographic directions evidence a huge crystalline electric field (CEF) induced Ising-type magneto-crystalline anisotropy with a large $c$-axis moment and a sm...

We present specific heat and resistivity study of CeIrIn5 in magnetic fields up to 17 T and temperature down to 50 mK. Both quantities were measured with the magnetic field parallel to the c-axis (H || [001]) and within the a-b plane (H \perp [001]). Non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behavior develops above 12 T for H || [001]. The Fermi liquid state is much more robust for H \perp [001] and is suppressed only moderately at the highest applied field. Based on the observed trends and the...

We present electrical resistivity and specific heat measurements of alloys on the Rh rich side of the phase diagram of the Ce(Rh$_{1-x}$Pd$_x$)$_2$Si$_2$ system and compare the results with those obtained at intermediate and low Rh concentrations. The analysis of the x-evolution of the entropy and the scaling behaviour of $C_{el}(T)$ and $\rho(T)$ clearly confirm a separation of the magnetic phase diagram into two regions. The region $x\le0.3$, showing a concentration indepen...

In order to investigate the anisotropic magnetic properties of CeAg$_2$Ge$_2$, we have successfully grown the single crystals, for the first time, by high temperature solution growth (flux) method. We have performed a detailed study of the grown single crystals by measuring their electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, specific heat and magnetoresistance. A clear anisotropy and an antiferromagnetic transition at $T_{\rm N}$ = 4.6 K have been observed i...

We have measured the thermopower across the metamagnetic transition of the heavy fermion compound CeRu2Si2 at temperatures down to 0.1K and magnetic fields up to 11.5T. We find a large negative enhancement of the thermopower on crossing the metamagnetic field, as well as a sudden change in slope. We argue that this is consistent with the Zeeman-driven deformation of the Fermi surface through a topological transition. The field dependence of the thermopower highlights the disc...

CeRhIn$_5$ is a prototypical antiferromagnetic heavy-fermion compound, whose behavior in a magnetic field is unique. A magnetic field applied in the basal plane of the tetragonal crystal structure induces two additional phase transitions. When the magnetic field is applied along, or close to, the $c$ axis, a new phase characterized by a pronounced in-plane electronic anisotropy emerges at $B^* \approx$ 30 T, well below the critical field, $B_c \simeq$ 50 T, to suppress the an...

We present detailed temperature and field dependent data obtained from magnetization, resistivity, heat capacity, Hall resistivity and thermoelectric power measurements performed on single crystals of CeZn11. The compounds orders antiferromagnetically at $\sim$ 2 K. The zero-field resistivity and TEP data show features characteristic of a Ce-based intermetallic with crystal electric field splitting and possible correlated, Kondo lattice effects. We constructed the T-H phase d...

The results of magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity ($\rho$), heat-capacity (C) and thermopower (S) measurements on CeCuAs2, forming in ZrCuSi2-type tetragonal structure, are reported. Our investigations reveal that Ce is trivalent and there is no clear evidence for long range magnetic ordering down to 45 mK. The $\rho$ behavior is notable in the sense that (i) the temperature (T)-coefficient of $\rho$ is negative in the entire range of measurement (45 mK to 300 K)...