Hidden Magnetic Complexity Within a Simple van der Waals Ferromagnet Ce$_2$Te$_5$

Abstract

Ce$_2$Te$_5$ is a layered $f$-electron van der Waals magnet in which reduced dimensionality and inequivalent Ce sites give rise to competing magnetic interactions. We investigate its magnetic ground state using muon spin relaxation ($μ$SR), neutron powder diffraction (NPD), and inelastic neutron scattering (INS). Zero-field $μ$SR reveals an onset of static magnetism below $T_{\mathrm{C}} = 5.0(1)$~K, followed by an additional anomaly in the internal field at $T_{\mathrm{2}} = 2.3(2)$~K, consistent with features observed in bulk thermodynamic and transport measurements. In contrast, NPD data collected between $0.05-8$~K reveal a single long-range ordered magnetic phase below $T_{\mathrm C}$, with the magnetic Bragg intensities vanishing at $T_{\mathrm C}$ with no evidence for additional structural or magnetic phase transitions down to base temperature. The ordered state is characterized by a commensurate propagation vector $\mathbf{k}=(0,0,0)$ and ferromagnetic alignment of Ce moments along the crystallographic $b$ axis. Remarkably, only one of the two crystallographically distinct Ce sites carries an ordered moment of $\sim 0.85(3)~μ_{\mathrm B}$ per Ce at 0.05~K. INS measurements establish the crystal electric field (CEF) energy scale of Ce$^{3+}$, revealing low-lying excitations at 7.94 and 21.46~meV and a Kramers doublet ground state with strong single-ion anisotropy. These results demonstrate that Ce$_2$Te$_5$ undergoes a single symmetry-breaking magnetic transition, while additional low-temperature anomalies reflect subtle modifications of the ordered state driven by competing interactions and CEF effects.