Tuning of the magnetic transition temperatures in the single crystals of superconducting (Y,Er) 1 − xTb xNi 2B 2C

Abstract

The magnetic and superconducting properties in the single crystals of (Y,Er) 1 − x Tb x Ni 2B 2C compounds were investigated by temperature-dependent magnetization M( T) and in-plane resistivity ρ ab ( T). It was found that the superconducting transition temperature T c was suppressed by adding Tb in the sites of Y or Er and it follows well de Gennes scaling for both T c> T N and T c< T N. The antiferromagnetic T N and weak ferromagnetic T WF transition temperatures showed distinct behaviors in terms of the de Gennes (dG) factor in Y 1 − x Tb x Ni 2B 2C and Er 1 − x Tb x Ni 2B 2C. These observations were discussed under the consideration of magnetic ground states of ErNi 2B 2C, TbNi 2B 2C and their interactions.