Localized 𝑓-electron magnetism in the semimetal Ce 3 Bi 4 Au 3
Ce 3 Bi 4 Au 3 crystallizes in the same noncentrosymmetric cubic structure as the prototypical Kondo insulator Ce 3 Bi 4 Pt 3 . Here we report the physical properties of Ce 3 Bi 4 Au 3 single crystals using magnetization, thermodynamic, and electrical-transport measurements. Magnetic-susceptibility and heat-capacity data reveal antiferromagnetic order below 𝑇 𝑁 =3.2K. The magnetic entropy 𝑆 mag reaches 𝑅 ln 2 slightly above 𝑇 𝑁 , which suggests localized 4𝑓 moments in a doublet ground state. Multiple field-induced magnetic transitions are observed at temperatures below 𝑇 𝑁 , which indicate a complex spin structure with competing interactions. Ce 3 Bi 4 Au 3 shows semimetallic behavior in electrical resistivity in contrast to the majority of reported cerium-based 343 compounds which are semiconducting. Electrical-resistivity measurements under hydrostatic pressure reveal a slight enhancement of 𝑇 𝑁 under pressures up to 2.3 GPa, which supports a scenario wherein Ce 3 Bi 4 Au 3 belongs to the far left of the Doniach phase diagram dominated by Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interactions. Using realistic many-body simulations, we confirm the semimetallic electronic structure of Ce 3 Bi 4 Au 3 and quantitatively reproduce its local moment behavior in the paramagnetic state.