Symmetry‐Breaking Transitions in SmCu1+δAs2—χPχ(δ = 0 — 0.2, χ = 0 — 2). Effect of P and Additional Cu Atoms on Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties

Crystal structures of the compounds SmCu_1+δAs_2—χP_χ (δ = 0 — 0.2, χ = 0 — 2) undergoing symmetry‐breaking transitions and SmCuP_2.3 have been investigated by the X‐ray single crystal and powder methods. While the phases SmCuAs₂ through SmCuAs_1.22P_0.78 retain the tetragonal HfCuSi₂ structure (P4/nmm space group), the compounds SmCuAs_1.11P_0.89 through SmCuAs_0.56P_1.44 adopt the GdCuAs_1.15P_0.85—type structure (Pmmn space group), an orthorhombic variant of the HfCuSi₂‐type. Further distortion follows in SmCuAs_0.33P_1.67 through SmCuP_2.3, the powder patterns of which were indexed in the P2/n space group (P2/c in a standard setting). According to Landau theory the transitions from tetragonal SmCuAs_1.22P_0.78 to orthorhombic SmCuAs_1.11P_0.89 and from orthorhombic SmCuAs_0.56P_1.44 to monoclinic SmCuAs_0.33P_1.67 can be continuous. Introducing extra copper into some of the orthorhombic arsenophosphides restabilizes tetragonal phases (0 < δ ≤ 0.2) with the P4/nmm symmetry, and the reverse transition Pmmn → P4/nmmcan be continuous. Inserting copper atoms into monoclinic SmCuP₂ yields the SmCu_1+δP₂ phosphides with Cmmm symmetry, and this transition is first‐order. Single crystals of SmCu_1.05As_1.67P_0.33, SmCu_1.07As_0.85P_1.15 and SmCu_1.15P₂ have been prepared using iodine as a mineralizing agent. Their structures have partially occupied Cu sites around the square As/P or P layers and they are a stuffed variant of the HfCuSi₂ structure for SmCu_1.05As_1.67P_0.33 (P4/nmm, a = 3.9163(6), c = 9.932(2)Å), a stuffed GdCuAs_1.15P_0.85 structure for SmCu_1.07As_0.85P_1.15 (Pmmn, a = 3.859(1), b = 3.862(1), c = 9.852(3)Å) and a CeCu_1.12P_1.97‐type structure for SmCu_1.15P₂ (Cmmm, a = 5.453(3), b = 19.511(10), c = 5.439(3)Å). The P net in SmCu_1.15P₂ is broken into rectangular units. The results of magnetic measurements for SmCuAsP are reported.