Synthesis and Physical Properties of the Misfit Layered Compound (EuS)_1.13(NbSe₂)₂

Abstract

A new misfit layered compound with the stoichiometry (EuS)_1+δ(NbSe₂)₂ (δ ≈ 0.13) has been successfully synthesized. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction confirm the misfit structure with (EuS)-(EuS) spacing of 18.30(1) Å. Magnetization, electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and thermal transport measurements show that the material is a heavily doped semiconductor or poor metal with a low thermal conductivity of ∼1 W/m K and an antiferromagnetic ordering transition at T_N = 4.7 K. In contrast to the parent materials, the misfit is neither ferromagnetic nor superconducting down to T = 0.4 K. We find evidence of a field-driven transition to a ferromagnetic state due to reorientation of ferromagnetic EuS layers at μ_oH = 0.5 T at T = 2 K.