Crystal growth and structure determination of LaMIn5 (M = Co, Rh, Ir)

R. T. Macaluso, Louisiana State University
J. L. Sarrao, Los Alamos National Laboratory
P. G. Pagliuso, Los Alamos National Laboratory
N. O. Moreno, Los Alamos National Laboratory
R. G. Goodrich, Louisiana State University
D. A. Browne, Louisiana State University
F. R. Fronczek, Louisiana State University
J. Y. Chan, Louisiana State University

Abstract

The compounds CeMIn5 (M = Co, Rh, Ir) have been shown to exhibit heavy fermion behavior. In order to better understand this effect and the nature of the observed superconductivity, we have synthesized and characterized the non-magnetic analogs, LaMIn5 (M = Co, Rh, Ir). The structures of LaCoIn5, LaRhIn5, and LaIrIn5 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. CeMIn5 and LaMIn5 compounds are isostructural and adopt a tetragonal structure with space group P4/mmm, Z = 1. Lattice parameters are a = 4.6399(4) and c = 7.6151(6) Å for LaCoIn5, a = 4.6768(3) and c = 7.5988(7) Å for LaRhIn5, and a = 4.6897(6) and c = 7.5788(12) Å for LaIrIn5. We compare these experimental data with band structure computations and examine structural trends that affect the magnetic and transport properties of these compounds. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).