We report the synthesis, structure and physical properties of a new quaternary nitride LaCr2Ge2N. The compound crystallizes in the CeCr2Si2C-type structure (P4/mmm), featuring distinctive Cr2N square sheets within Cr2Ge2N block layers. Physical characterizations reveal enhanced electron correlations evidenced by a Sommerfeld coefficient substantially larger than band calculations and pressure-induced deviation from Fermi-liquid behavior. Magnetic measurements show short-range antiferromagnetic correlations developing around 460 K, followed by long-range magnetic ordering at 14 K. Additionally, subtle anomalies at 378 K suggest possible electronic ordering. First-principles calculations reveal nearly-flat Cr-3d bands near the Fermi level and predict a striped antiferromagnetic ground state. This work demonstrates how electron count variation in the CeCr2Si2C-type structure family leads to magnetic ordering in LaCr2Ge2N, contrasting with the paramagnetic behavior of LnCr2Si2C compounds.
@article{arxiv.2512.20843,
title = {Magnetism and Correlated Electrons in LaCr$_2$Ge$_2$N},
author = {Jiao-Jiao Meng and Yu-Sen Xiao and Gen Li and Shao-Hua Liu and Bai-Zhuo Li and Hao Jiang and Zhen Yu and Yi-Qiang Lin and Xin-Yu Zhao and Qing-Chen Duan and Wu-Zhang Yang and Chong-Yao Zhao and Zhi Ren and Yu-Xue Mei and Yong-Liang Chen and Rui-Dan Zhong and Qing-Xin Dong and Peng-Tao Yang and Shu-Gang Tan and Bo-Sen Wang and Huiqian Luo and Jin-Guang Cheng and Xue Ming and Cao Wang and Guang-Han Cao},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2512.20843},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
8 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in Physical Review B