Crystal and magnetic structure of possible Weyl semimetal NdAlGe

Rare earth compounds are known to exhibit varieties of exciting electronic and magnetic properties arising from complex interplay of conducting charges, usually derived from d or p-like bands and more localized f-electrons. Added variety of interesting states comes from differences in lattice symmetry, spin-orbit interactions, crystalline electric fields, and the related magneto-crystalline anisotropy. A recent addition to such exciting properties is the theoretical prediction and experimental verification magnetic Weyl fermion state in RAlGe (R=Rare earth) family of compounds. Previous investigations of this class of compounds were limited to R=La, Ce and Pr. In this work, we extend this line of inquiry to isostructural NdAlGe to explore how these electronic and magnetic properties vary as the size of the rare earth element and consequently the position of the f-electron states with respect to the Fermi level is varied. I will present the crystal structure and magnetic behavior of NdAlGe. Our work will be crucial to understand the interplay between electronic topology and magnetism in non-centrosymmetric rare earth magnets.