Structural and magnetic properties of RInAu2 (R = La, Ce, Pr and Nd) at high pressure

Effect of pressure on the cubic to tetragonal structural transition tempera ture T-M has been investigated in RInAu2 (R = La, Ce, Pr and Nd) from the e lectrical resistivity measurements up to 24 kbar. The pressure dependence o f T-M is given by T-M = A(P-c - P)(1/2) with P-c = 57.6, 34.3 and 14.0 kbar and the initial pressure derivative dT(M)/dP = - 1.9, - 2.1 and - 2.7 K/kb ar for R = Ce, Pr and Nd, respectively. The existence of the Kondo effect i s elucidated in both cubic and tetragonal phases of CeInAu2 by the applicat ion of pressure. In NdInAu2 the tetragonal phase is totally suppressed by p ressure and a new pressure-induced phase transition appears at 3 K. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.