Thermodynamic and transport properties of RSn2 (R=Tb–Tm, Lu, Y) single crystals

We report the anisotropic magnetization, heat capacity and resistivity measurements for isostructural RSn2 (R=Tb–Tm, Lu, Y) single crystals. The R=Tb–Tm compounds exhibit long range antiferromagnetic ordering with TN ranging from 26.3 K to 3.6 K. An additional incommensurate-to-commensurate transition at a lower critical temperature T1 is observed for R=Tb–Ho. Field-induced metamagnetic transitions have also been observed for all magnetic rare earth compounds. The resistivity has a typical metallic character with a relatively high residual resistivity ratio. Both the AFM ordering temperature and spin disordered resistivity scale with the de Gennes factor. The magnetic heat capacity data indicate partially lifted ground state degeneracies associated with crystal electric field splitting. - Highlights: • We report thermodynamic and transport properties of RSn2 (R=Tb–Tm, Lu, Y) single crystals. • RSn2 compounds with R=Tb–Tm exhibit AFM ordering and metamagnetic transitions. • An incommensurate to commensurate transition has been observed for R=Tb–Ho. • The ordering temperature and spin disorder resistivity scale well with the de Gennes factor. • Magnetic heat capacity reveals partially lifted ground state degeneracy