Magnetic transitions in the quasi-two-dimensional van der Waals system Ce2Te5

Low-dimensional systems often exhibit electronic instabilities leading to charge density waves (CDWs) or superconductivity. Recent studies have focused on the high-temperature CDW materials RTen (R= rare earth, n = 2, 3). Ce2Te5 has a crystal structure intermediate between that of CeTe2 and CeTe3, consisting of alternating single and double Te planes sandwiched between CeTe block layers. Magnetic studies show two clear anomalies at 5.1 and 2.3 K, which correspond to a ferrimagnetic and a possible AFM transition, respectively. Resistivity and heat capacity studies further confirm a third transition at 0.9 K and a fourth at 0.4 K. This cascade of phase transitions in Ce2Te5 has been confirmed through our very recent muon spin rotation measurements, which reveal changes in the internal field across theses transitions. To get direct information on the magnetic structures across these transitions, we propose to carry out a neutron powder diffraction study on the WISH high-flux diffractometer.