Interplay of 3d and 4f electrons in ZrCuSiAs-type oxypnictide CeCrAsO

Abstract We investigated the physical properties of ZrCuSiAs-type oxypnictide CeCrAsO polycrystals by electrical transport, magnetic and thermodynamic measurements below room temperature. No superconductivity is found down to the lowest temperature measured (1.8 K). A first-order magnetic transition is consistently observed at T SR = 37 K. A Schottky anomaly is observed around 14 K and the ground-state doublet of Ce ions splits by 3.75 meV. It is suggested that the magnetic moments of Cr ions, which show long-range order above room temperature, reorient at T SR. Meanwhile the generated internal magnetic field induces a short-range antiferromagnetic order of Ce moments. This work demonstrates the interplay between Cr-3d and Ce-4f electrons and it provides an avenue to further study the magnetism of Cr ions.