Magnetic properties of single crystalline RCu2Si2 (R: rare earth)

A series of ternary compounds RCu2Si2 (R: rare earth) has been grown in single-crystalline form by the flux method. The magnetic properties of these compounds were investigated by measuring the lattice parameter, electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetization. All the compounds crystallize in the tetragonal ThCr2Si2-type structure. Most of these compounds order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures, except when R=Y, La, Yb, and Lu. The magnetic anisotropy in the susceptibility and magnetization at low temperatures is found to be relatively small despite the tetragonal crystal structure. An increase in the electrical resistivity just below the ordering temperature and a first-order-like transition are characteristic features of RCu2Si2 with R=light rare earth and R=heavy rare earth, respectively. (author)