Observation of enhanced magnetic transition temperature in Nd₂PdGe₃ and superconductivity in Y₂PdGe₃

Abstract

The results of electrical resistance (1.4-300 K), magnetization (2-300 K) and heat-capacity (2-50 K) measurements in Nd₂PdGe₃ and Y₂PdGe₃, found to crystallize in an AlB₂-derived hexagonal structure, are reported. The results establish that there is an onset of magnetic ordering (of a ferromagnetic type) for the Nd compound at a temperature close to 6 K and this temperature is considerably enhanced compared to the de Gennes scaled value. The Y compound is found to be superconducting below 3 K and this compound turns out to be a superconductor among the ternary members derived from the AlB₂ structure. The identification of an AlB₂-derived superconductor not containing B may contribute to the overall understanding of the physics of recently discovered high-temperature superconductor, MgB₂.