Electrical and magnetic properties of single crystalline EuAs3, β-EuP3 and their mixed crystals

The electrical and magnetic properties of the mixed crystals Eu(Assub(1-x)Psub(x))3 have been investigated by measuring the temperature and magnetic field dependences of the electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat. The variation from semimetallic (EuAs3) to semiconducting (EuP3) behaviour is explained in terms of a simple electron energy scheme. The antiferromagnetic ordering observed in the whole concentration range below about 10 K is believed to be due to an Eu-Eu superexchange via two-bonded (2b)X- atoms (X = As,P). The exchange coupling constants for EuAs3 are given within a molecular-field approximation. (author)