Divalent State in YbGaGe: Magnetic, Thermal, Transport and Structural Studies

Abstract

YbGaGe was reported as the first example of a material with zero thermal expansion that is accomplished by the temperature-variant Yb²⁺/Yb³⁺ configuration [Salvador et al.: Nature 425 (2003) 702]. Here we report magnetic, transport, X-ray diffraction and thermal expansion measurements of single-crystal samples. The results reveal a stable divalent state of Yb ions in YbGaGe and a distinct volume-thermal contraction with decreasing temperature.