Physical Property Measurements on Ce₂Ge₂Mg

Ce₂Ge₂Mg is a member of the R₂T₂X family of materials (R= rare earth, T=transition metal, X=main group) which crystalize in a layered, tetragonal structure with the magnetic R-ions in individual layers forming a Shastry-Sutherland lattice, with the remaining ions interstitial [1,2]. Ce₂Ge₂Mg is of particular interest due to the magnetic f-electrons being well below the fermi level, enabling the study of localized magnetic states in a metallic background.

Structural and physical properties of the compound have previously been reported, which indicate an antiferromagnetic phase transition at a Néel Temperature of 9.3K [1,3]. In this talk we will discuss new transport measurements done on single crystals of Ce₂Ge₂Mg synthesized via the flux method at the University of Kentucky, their implications for magnetic excitations in this material, and the possible presence of topologically protected electronic states.

[1] M. S. Kim and M. C. Aronson, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 23, 164204 (2011)

[2] B. S. Shastry and B. Sutherland, Physica 108B, 1069 (1981)

[3] W. J. Gannon et al., In Preparation.