Thanks to the specific electronic structure the rare earth-based compounds, especially those containing Yb, Ce or Eu, often exhibit exceptional magnetic properties. In our study we have focused on cerium-based compound Ce2Pd2 In belonging to the family of R2T2X compounds crystallizing in tetragonal Mo2FeB2 -type structure [1].
Specific magnetic properties of these compounds are intimately related to details of crystal structure. The lattice is formed by R-planes alternated by planes containing other elements.
The Ce ions in Ce2Pd2 In lying in basal plane form Ce dimers arranged in a square motif. The Ce-Ce distance in these dimers dCe-Ce = 3.866(2) is also the shortest Ce-Ce distance in this compound.
Ce-distances are responsible for the character of exchange interactions and the unique way, how to affect them without changes of chemical composition, is application of mechanical pressure.