Structure and physical properties of the quaternary Remeika-phase compoundYb5Pt6In16Bi2

We report the synthesis and characterization of an indium-rich quaternary Y b-Pt-In-Bi compound that is similar to the well-known rare-earth transition -metal stannide Remeika-phase compounds. In addition to structural/composit ion studies identifying the compound as Yb5Pt6In16Bi2, we have made de and ac magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, resistivity, magnetoresistance, Hall effect, and thermoelectric power measurements on this material. It app ears that this Remeika-phase compound (structure type Tb5Rh6Sn18) is modera tely disordered. Crystal-field effects influence the temperature dependence of the de magnetic susceptibility, the specific heat, the resistivity, and the thermoelectric power. A cusp in the ac magnetic susceptibility peaks n ear 300 mK, close in temperature to where the specific heat divided by temp erature C-P(T)/T also reaches a maximum. The susceptibility feature is freq uency-dependent and suggestive of a disorder-induced spin-glass transition rather than conventional magnetic order. [S0163-1829(99)03830-8].