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Reentrant spin glass state in the long-range magnetic order compound Er2Cu2In

Baidyanath Sahu1,2, Ramesh Kumar2,3, R. Djoumessi Fobasso2, Rishabh Shukla4,*, Sindisiwe P. Xhakaza2, and André M. Strydom2

  • *Contact author: rishabh.shukla@empa.ch

Phys. Rev. B 113, 134407 – Published 3 April, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/jqs4-hg41

Abstract

We have investigated the structural, magnetic, and transport characteristics of single-phase polycrystalline Er2Cu2In. Er2Cu2In adopts a tetragonal structure reminiscent of Mo2B2Fe-type, with a space group of P4/mbm (No. 127). Below a critical temperature (TC) of 41 K, we have confirmed long-range ferromagnetic (FM) ordering through dc magnetization, specific heat capacity, and electrical resistivity. The temperature-dependent ac-magnetic susceptibility under varying excitation frequencies and ac-driven fields has shown the existence of a spin glass state below the FM transition temperature. We have employed a combination of methods, including Vogel-Fulcher, Arrhenius activation, and critical-scaling approaches, to analyze the ac-magnetic susceptibility data and estimate the dynamical parameters governing spin dynamics in Er2Cu2In. Furthermore, the magnetoresistance exhibits significant variations around the FM transition temperature, indicative of the rich and intricate magnetic behavior inherent to Er2Cu2In.

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