Growth of rare-earth monopnictide DySb single crystal by novel Self-flux method

Abstract

This report presents a new synthesis protocol for the single crystal growth of rare earth monopnictide DySb by self-flux technique. A detailed structural, transport and magnetic characterization have been done using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), High resolution X-Ray diffraction (HRXRD), resistivity and magnetization measurements respectively. The Rietveld refinement of powder XRD pattern confirms that the grown crystal is in single phase and crystallizes in space group Fm3m(225) of rock-salt type crystal structure. HRXRD on cleaved crystal confirms the single crystalline nature while rocking curve analysis reveals the high quality of the grown crystal. Temperature dependent resistivity and magnetization measurements show a transition at 9.7K from paramagnetic (PM) to antiferromagnetic (AFM) state.