Spin-glass-like behavior of ternary uranium compound U2AuSi3

DC magnetization, specific heat and magnetic relaxation measurements are re ported for a polycrystalline U2AuSi3. The temperature dependence of the mag netization shows a cusp at a characteristic temperature T-f that strongly d epends on the applied magnetic field. The specific heat does not show visib le singularity around T-f, ruling out the existence of the usual long range spatial magnetic order. The pronounced difference between the zero field c ooled (ZFC) and the field cooled (FC) magnetization, as well as the very sl ow decay of the remanence indicate the occurrence of a highly irreversible frozen state below T-f. These features are the characteristics of spin glas s behavior. (C) 1998 Else:vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.