Development of magnetism in UTX systems

Uranium equiatomic ternary compounds of the UTX type (i.e. U with one transition and one non-transition metal) form several isostructural groups. In the hexagonal structure of the ZrNiAl type the proper choice of the components can tune the 5f magnetism by varying strength of the 5f-ligand hybridization in such extent, that the 5f magnetic moment is gradually washed out, and finally weak paramagnetism can be achieved. In a certain concentration range around UCoAl a region of band metamagnetism exists, with the critical metamagnetic field tunable by transition metal substitutions. Fingerprints of non-Fermi liquid behaviour were observed in such circumstances. Dilution of UPdSn by Lu shows that features apparently belonging to 5f- localized states (low γ-value) are probably due to Fermi level in a deep minimum of density of states. (Authors)