Magnetic properties of Pr in non-superconducting PrBa₂Cu₃O₇

The magnetic order and spin fluctuations of Pr in non-superconducting PrBa₂Cu₃O₇ have been studied by specific heat, susceptibility and neutron scattering measurements. The neutron data show that the basic ordering consists of a simple antiferromagnetic arrangement, with an ordering temperature of ∼17 K, while the specific heat data reveal a large value of the electronic specific heat coefficient γ, comparable to heavy fermion like materials. The observed magnetic inelastic scattering shows a broad quasi-elastic response as a function of energy, similar to mixed valent-like systems. These results suggest that there is substantial f-electron character at the Fermi level in this material.