Mechanical properties of ternary Yb compound YbZn2Sb2

Abstract

The ternary Yb compound YbZn2Sb2 belongs to the typical diamagnetic semimetal. Its electrical and agnetic properties are studied in series of papers. However the mechanical characteristics of this compound remain undefined. To this end, the objective of this work was to examine the microstructure and the main mechanical properties of the YbZn2Sb2 compound. The researches were carried out on the (0001) plane. As was shown in, the ternary YbZn2Sb2 compound adopts the trigonal-type structure. In accordance with this, in our work the crystallographic oriented growth steps have been revealed on the studied surface. They were oriented lengthwise the 1100 < >directions and form between them the angles of 60 or 120 degrees.