Unusual Electronic State of the Low-Carrier System CeSb under High Pressure Studied by Simultaneous Measurement of Electrical Resistivity and Lattice Parameter

Abstract

We have studied the origin of the anomalous peak structure of resistivity of the low-carrier system CeSb appeared around the antiferromagnetic transition temperature T_N under high pressures by means of simultaneous measurement of lattice parameter by X-ray diffraction and resistivity together with neutron diffraction technique. It was found that there is a strong relationship between the unusual decrease of lattice parameter and the unusual increase of resistance below T_N under high pressure. Both of these phenomena can be explained by the appearance of Γ₈-like magnetic state of Ce³⁺ ion below T_N.