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Bulk magnetic properties of distorted square lattice compounds M′−LnTaO4 (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er)

Nicola D. Kelly1,*, Ivan da Silva2, and Siân E. Dutton1,†

  • *Contact author: ne281@cam.ac.uk
  • †Contact author: sed33@cam.ac.uk
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Phys. Rev. Materials 10, 044404 – Published 14 April, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/q8ld-d9vp

Abstract

We report bulk magnetic properties of the monoclinic lanthanide tantalates, M′−LnTaO4 (Ln= Tb, Dy, Ho, Er), where the magnetic Ln3+ ions are arranged on a distorted 2D square lattice. The heavier analog M′−YbTaO4 has been investigated as a spin-orbit-coupled, quasi-two-dimensional frustrated magnet, and the properties of the other M′−LnTaO4 are expected to vary depending on the electronic configuration of the Ln ion, namely, Kramers vs non-Kramers behavior and different crystal electric field parameters. In this work, powder neutron diffraction is used to confirm the crystal structure for Ln= Tb, Ho, Er, and to determine the magnetic structure of M′−TbTaO4, which displays long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) order below TN=2.1K. The Tb3+ moments are aligned primarily along the c axis with AFM nearest-neighbor interactions. Susceptibility data suggest that M′−DyTaO4 may display short-range ordering around 2.7 K, while M′−HoTaO4 and M′−ErTaO4 show AFM correlations but do not order above 1.8 K. Measurements of the magnetic specific heat provide evidence for a Kramers doublet ground state in M′−ErTaO4, similar to its heavier analog M′−YbTaO4.

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Phys. Rev. Materials 10, 044404– Published 14 April, 2026
  • Received 3 February 2026
  • Accepted 27 March 2026
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