Crystal Growth, Structure and Property Relationships of Ce and Yb Intermetallics

Julia Y. Chan, Louisiana State University & Agricultural and Mechanical College, DMR 0756281

We are concerned with discovering new magnetic and electrical properties of new systems. All measurements were performed on single crystals. With high quality single crystals grown in the group, one can study the physics of new materials.

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The magnetization of Y4FeGa12

Single crystals of Dy4FeGa12

Single crystal of PrFeSb3 grown from excess Sb flux. This phase is highly anisotropic.

We report the synthesis, structure, magnetic and transport properties of LnFeSb3 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, and Tb) and was able to tune the anisotropic long-range magnetic order as a function of Ln (Phelan, W. A. et al. Dalton Transactions, 2010, 39, 6403)

We report the crystal growth via the self flux technique and characterization of large single crystals of Ln(Cu,Ga)12 analogues showing magnetoresistance values up to 150% with the nonmagnetic Y analogue showing a comparable value of 117%. Additionally, Pr and Sm analogues of Ln(Cu,Al)12 are reported for the first time as showing enhanced mass behavior. (Drake, B.L. et al. J. Phys. Cond. Matter., 2010, 22, 066001).

Drake, B.L. et al., Inorg. Chem. 2010, 49, 445.

Education & Outreach:

Former Graduate Students:

Dixie Gautreaux, Jung Young Cho (2008), Edem Okudzeto (2009)

Current Graduate Students:

Kandace Thomas, Brenton Drake, William Phelan, Melissa Menard, Michael Kangas, Devin Schmitt, Brad Fulfer, Gregory Morrison

Undergraduates:

Daniel Hembree, Aaron Lin, Giang Nguyen, Marcus Touissant, Kristen Kendrick, Jacob Alpin

Blue = Under-represented minorities

Crystal Growth, Structure and Property Relationships of Yb Intermetallics Julia Y. Chan, Louisiana State University & Agricultural and Mechanical College, DMR 0756281

Graduate and undergraduate students in the Chan Group performing chemistry demonstrations at state capitol in Baton Rouge and Cedarcrest Elementary School (right). We have formed a partnership with a local elementary school. In addition to doing demonstrations, we have worked with teachers to help prepare teaching materials. Shown below is an outreach activity to at-risk high school girls. Superconductivity and liquid nitrogen demonstration is always a hit!