Cluster-spin-glass behavior in new ternary RE2PtGe3 compounds (RE = Tb, Dy, Ho)

Two new ternary germanides Tb 2 Pt 1.2 Ge 2.8 , Dy 2 Pt 1.15 Ge 2.85 and one already known germanium Ho 2 Pt 1.1 Ge 2.9. were synthesized using an arc melting technique. The obtained samples were investigated by powder x-ray diffraction, which indicated that all of them crystallized in a hexagonal structure with P 6/ mmm (no. 191) space group. This structure is a disordered variant of the AlB 2 aristotype that favors the formation of a spin-glass-like state. The physical properties were examined by measuring magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity and electrical resistance. Experiments indicated that all of the compounds can be classified as cluster-spin-glasses with the freezing temperature of T f = 12.0 K, T f = 6.0 K and T f = 2.9 K for Tb 2 Pt 1.2 Ge 2.8 , Dy 2 Pt 1.15 Ge 2.85 and Ho 2 Pt 1.1 Ge 2.9 respectively.