Antiferromagnetic ordering in the Kondo lattice system Yb₂Fe₃Si₅

Abstract

Compounds belonging to the R₂Fe₃Si₅ series exhibit unusual superconducting and magnetic properties. Although a number of studies have been made on the first reentrant antiferromagnet superconductor Tm₂Fe₃Si₅, the physical properties of Yb₂Fe₃Si₅ are largely unexplored. In this work, we attempt to provide a comprehensive study of bulk properties such as, resistivity, susceptibility, and heat capacity of a well-characterized polycrystalline Yb₂Fe₃Si₅. Our measurements indicate that Yb³⁺ moments order antiferromagnetically below 1.7 K. Moreover, the system behaves as a Kondo lattice with large Sommerfeld coefficient (γ) of 0.5 J/Yb mol K² at 0.3 K, which is well below T_N. The absence of superconductivity in Yb₂Fe₃Si₅ down to 0.3 K at ambient pressure is attributed to the presence of the Kondo effect.