Single crystals of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_4{\mathrm{Ru}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_{10},$ the $n=3\mathrm{}$ member of the Ruddlesden-Popper series ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{n+1\mathrm{}}{\mathrm{Ru}}_n{\mathrm{O}}_{3n+1},$ have been found to be ferromagnetic for $T<\mathrm{}{T}_C=148\mathrm{}$ K. Measurements of the magnetization for $2<T<\mathrm{}350\mathrm{}$ K, and in fields $H$ to 30 T, electrical resistivity for $2<T<\mathrm{}300\mathrm{}$ K and $0<H<\mathrm{}12\mathrm{}$ T, and heat capacity for $2<T<\mathrm{}20\mathrm{}$ K reveal that the magnetic, transport, and thermal properties are consistent with those of $n$=1, 2, and ∞ members of the series. Low-field $(H=0.01\mathrm{}$ T) magnetization shows a sharp ferromagnetic transition at $T_C,$ and isothermal magnetization for $T\ll T_C$ reveals some hysteresis, but magnetic saturation occurs only for $H>\mathrm{}16\mathrm{}$ T. The easy axis for magnetization lies in the $\mathrm{ab}$ plane. The saturation value, $1.75{\mu }_B/\mathrm{Ru}$ is consistent with that expected for the low-spin state for the Ru ${4d}^4$ configuration. The resistivity shows a Fisher-Langer-type anomaly at $T_C$ that is suppressed for fields of a few T. The heat capacity measures a large electronic component, γ=110 ${\mathrm{m}\mathrm{J}/\mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{}\mathrm{K}}^2,$ suggesting a highly correlated $d$ band, but similar to the $n$=1, 2, and ∞ members of the series when normalized to the number of Ru-O layers in the repeated structure. The data are discussed in terms of the other members of the ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{n+1\mathrm{}}{\mathrm{Ru}}_n{\mathrm{O}}_{3n+1}$ series and of analogous properties for the Ca-based counterpart materials.

• Received 22 May 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.56.R5740