Magnetoresistance Scaling of CeNi0.85T0.15Sn(T=Ni, Ru, rh and Pd) Alloys

We have carried out structural, magnetic and transport measurements on CeNi_0.85T_0.15Sn (T=Ni, Ru, Rh and Pd) alloys in order to understand the complex low temperature transport properties of the Kondo semiconductor CeNiSn. The resistivity measurements show that the observed low temperature rise in the resistivity of CeNiSn becomes less pronounced with Ru and Pd substitution. Further, the resistivity of CeNi_0.85T_0.15Sn alloy shows the onset of the coherence Kondo lattice ground state below 20K. The negative magnetoresistance of CoNi_0.85T_0.15Sn (T=Ni, Rh and Pd) alloys exhibits a scaling behaviour as proposed by Schlottmann for the Kondo impurity. CeNi_0.85Rh_0.15Sn alloy exhibits positive magnetoresistence at 2K and negative minimum magnetoresistence at 5K, which further confirm the coherence Kondo lattice ground state. The suceptibility of all alloys exhibits a Curie-Weiss behaviour in the high temperature regime.