Transport properties of intermetallic thulium compounds

The Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of TmAl3 and TmPd3 are reported. TmAl3 melts peritectially and was prepare d as a single phase sample for the first time. Like TmPd3 it is a 'normal' metal as indicated by both electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibili ty measurements. The room temperature thermopower of TmAl3 is moderate (15 mu V/K) while that of TmPd3 falls within the expected range for typical met als (-5 mu V/K). Further properties are also reported for YbAl3, TmAl2 and TmPd. From the magnetic susceptibility data it can be concluded that thuliu m adopts the normal trivalent state in all these compounds. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science S.A. All rights reserved.