Magnetic and thermal properties of Ce2Pd2Sn

Abstract

X-ray diffraction, susceptibility and specific heat studies on ternary Ce2Pd2Sn intermetallic compound and on its isostructural non-magnetic compound La2Pd2Sn are reported. On Ce2Pd2Sn in absence of magnetic field, we confirm the existence of two magnetic transitions at TN=4.8 K (antiferromagnetic transition) and TC=2.2 K (ferromagnetic transition) and the specific heat results, measured down to 0.5 K, allow to recognize the transition at 2.2 K as a first-order transition. A description based on molecular field calculations for the S=1/2 resonant level model leads to a characteristic Kondo TK of about 3 K.