Magnetic properties of the possible altermagnet candidate YbFe₄Al₈

YbFe₄Al₈ has been studied in the past in polycrystalline form with claims of high-temperature superconductivity [1] and more recently reports of anomalous, low-field diamagnetism due to the interaction between the moment of Yb and the effective moment of the canted Fe spins [2]. This system has also been suggested to be a promising candidate for an altermagnet [3]. Motivated by this, we synthesized single crystals of YbFe₄Al_8, which manifest a tetragonal ThMn₁₂-type structure and studied their anisotropic magnetic properties. The magnetism is highly sensitive to magnetic field and temperature and shows a series of transitions. This is supported by resistivity and specific heat results. No sign of diamagnetism has been observed in our low-field data. Anisotropic H-T phase diagram will be presented and discussed to show the evolution of magnetism. Characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction has also been done to examine the possibility of structural transition in this system.



[1] Drulis, H. et al., Solid State Communications, 123 (2002)

[2] Andrzejewski, B. et al., Phys. Stat. Sol. (b), 243 (2006)

[3] Libor Šmejkal –private communication.