Itinerant magnetism in CaMn$_2$Al$_{10}$
ORAL
Abstract
We report the synthesis and basic properties of CaMn$_2$Al$_{10}$, a new itinerant magnet that is nearly isostructural with the known quantum critical compound YFe$_2$Al$_{10}$. Magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on single crystals reveal a cusp at 2 K. Electrical resistivity measurements similarly have a maximum at this temperature, and heat capacity measurements show a broad peak with total entropy of $\sim10\% R$ ln2. These results together with those of neutron diffraction measurements suggest that CaMn$_2$Al$_{10}$ is weakly magnetic and potentially close to a quantum critical point.
*Research supported by a DOD National Security Science and Engineering Fellowship via the AFOSR.
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