Low temperature magnetic structure and lattice response in SmCuAs$_2$

Abstract

We investigated the structural and magnetic properties of single-crystalline SmCuAs$_2$ using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS) at the Sm $L_2$ and $L_3$ edges. Temperature-dependent diffraction measurements confirm that SmCuAs$_2$ maintains its tetragonal symmetry from room temperature down to 8 K, with lattice parameters showing anomalous behavior below the resistivity minimum ($T \approx$ 30 K). Notably, the \textbf{c}-axis lattice parameter exhibits a plateau and subsequent increase near the N\'{e}el temperature, indicating magnetoelastic coupling. XRMS measurements reveal a commensurate antiferromagnetic structure with a propagation vector \textbf{\textit{q}} = (0, 0, 0.5). Our measurement shows that the Sm moments are aligned within the \textbf{\textit{ab}} plane and arranged in a $++--$ stacking along the \textbf{\textit{c}}-axis. Comparison with related \textit{RE}CuAs$_2$ compounds (\textit{RE} = Pr, Nd, and Gd) suggests that in-plane moment orientation and associated magnetic frustration play a key role in the emergence of the resistivity minimum. Differences in spin-orbit and magnetoelastic coupling across the series highlight their importance in governing low-temperature transport behavior.