The magnetic phase diagram of single-crystal antiferromagnetic Ce$_2$Fe$_{17}$

The binary intermetallic compound Ce$_{2}$Fe$_{17}$ crystallizes in the rhombohedral Th$_{2}$Zn$_{17}$-type structure. Unlike other R$_{2}$Fe$_{17}$ (R=rare earth), which are ferro- or ferrimagnetic, Ce$_{2}$Fe$_{17}$ displays antiferromagnetic behavior below its ordering temperature of $\sim $ 215 K. At lower temperatures, a second transition takes place, to an antiferromagnetic state for pure, and a ferromagnetic state for impure $_{ }$(e.g. Ta doped) Ce$_{2}$Fe$_{17}$. For antiferromagnetic samples, the lower temperature transition is accompanied by a feature in the resistivity that is consistent with the formation of a superzone gap. This study focuses on single crystals of pure Ce$_{2}$Fe$_{17}$. As a first step, the magnetic phase diagram for antiferromagnetic Ce$_{2}$Fe$_{17}$ has been determined by means of magnetization and resistance measurements. Ames Laboratory is operated for the US Department of Energy by Iowa State University under contract number W-7405-ENG-82.