Resistivity minima in the disordered cluster glass intermetallic compound Dy5Pd2: influence of quantum interference effects

Abstract

The intermetallic compound Dy₅Pd₂ has been investigated by means of structural, magnetic, heat capacity, and electrical resistivity measurements. The results indicate the formation of a cluster glass state below 42 K, which originates from atomic disorder and spin frustration in the magnetic atom sublattice of the cubic unit cell. The behavior of the heat capacity and electrical resistivity of Dy₅Pd₂ has also been studied theoretically. The magnetic part of the specific heat exhibits a T^3/2 temperature dependence below the cluster glass freezing temperature. A minimum in the temperature dependence of the resistivity has been observed around 60 K. This behavior has been interpreted in terms of the combined effects of electron–electron interactions and weak localization as well as contributions from magnetic and phonon scattering.