Magnetic and thermodynamic properties of Nd2Ni2Pb

We report magnetic and thermodynamic measurements for Nd2Ni2Pb, one of the recently discovered R2Ni2Pb family of layered intermetallics. A specific heat jump at 19 K corresponds to an antiferromagnetic transition involving crystal-field-split Nd levels. Magnetization measurements show this phase to have a canted structure, with a metamagnetic transition to an aligned phase occurring in H=3 T at low temperatures. The single antiferromagnetic phase stands in contrast to the more complex magnetic structures and multiple transitions in the heavy-rare-earth members of this family. (C) 2006 American Institute of Physics.