Magnetic phase diagram and crystalline electric field of NdRu 2Al10 single crystal

Abstract

We measured specific heat of NdRu2Al10 single crystal under magnetic field along a-axis in order to investigate basic physical properties of this compound. We found three anomalies at T1 ∼ 2.4 K, T2 ∼ 1.2 K and T3 ∼ 0.9 K in the temperature dependence of specific heat. These anomalies are attributed to antiferromagnetic order. In addition, we observed a Schottky-type anomaly, which reflects splitting of crystalline electric field (CEF). The entropy reaches Rln2 just above T1 and almost reaches Rln10 at room temperature. These results indicate that these three phase transitions occur in a doublet ground state and that all CEF levels of J 9/2 are below 300K. The results of specific heat are consistent with the CEF level scheme proposed by magnetization measurement. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.