Crystallographic parameters and their systematics within the CeCuAl3-related family of intermetallics

Abstract

Rare-earth RTX3 compounds (T stands for a transition d-metal and X is a p-metal) form a large family of intermetallics, revealing a variety of intriguing physical properties. Among them, CeTX3 compounds represent a particularly studied group, due to their frequently complex magnetic structures, Kondo physics, pressure-induced superconductivity, or recently highlighted quantum quasi-bound states. We report on the structural properties and their systematics within the CeCuAl3-related intermetallics crystallising in the tetragonal structure of the BaNiSn3-type. Our synchrotron X-ray diffraction data of 14 selected alloys allow us to follow the evolution of crystallographic parameters of the CeCuAl3-based substitution series. Substitutions of R, T and X elements are shown to have significant impact on the unit cell volume, virtual lattice expansion and free fraction coordinates of individual Wyckoff sites. Structural parameters are discussed within the framework of physical properties of investigated compounds.