The proof is in the powder: revealing structural peculiarities in the Yb3Rh4Sn13 structure type

Abstract

Compounds adopting the Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃ structure type have drawn attention because of the revelation of exotic states such as heavy fermion behavior, superconductivity, charge density wave, and quantum critical behavior. The prototypical structure has historically been modeled with a primitive cubic space group, Pmn; however, structural studies have led to the realization of disordered atomic sites, requiring lower symmetry models. We will review the low symmetry models required to describe the structural distortions in the related Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃ structure type. In addition, we present the structure determination of a new analogue, Lu₃Ir₄Ge₁₃, which adopts a new structural model in I4₁/amd.