Superconducting and normal state properties of dilute alloys of LaSn₃ containing Nd impurities

The results of an investigation of the superconducting and normal state physical properties of (LaNd)Sn₃ alloys are reported. Superconducting state data are presented describing the depression of the superconducting transition temperature T_cwith Nd impurity concentration, the reduction of the reduced jump in heat capacity ΔC/ΔC₀ with decreasing reduced superconducting transition temperature T_c/T_c0, and the pressure dependence of T_c. Normal state data for the temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity demonstrate the importance of crystalline electric field effects in the physical behavior of (LaNd)Sn₃ alloys and indicate that Nd interimpurity magnetic interactions and possibly a small amount of Nd-Sn antisite disorder are manifested in the experimental results. Theories based on an isotropic exchange depairing model are unable to give a satisfactory account of all of the experimental data, suggesting that the physical properties of(LaNd)Sn₃ alloys may be modified by processes involving the orbital exchange scattering of host conduction electrons by the Nd impurities.