Synthesis and Characterization of Large Single Crystals of NpPd3 by Flux Method

We report on the growth by flux method of large single crystals of hexagonal NpPd3. Samples with linear size up to 3 mm were obtained using lead as flux medium. Only polycrystalline samples of NpPd3 have been previously studied and in particular no information is available on the anisotropy of its physical properties. Considering the double hexagonal closed packed structure of NpPd3, important differences in the physical properties measured along the c-axis and in the basal plane can be anticipated. Preliminary magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on NpPd3 single crystal are compared to previous measurements made on polycrystalline samples. The availability of NpPd3 single crystals opens new perspectives in the understanding of the magnetic and electronic properties of this system. Keywords: A2 growth from melt, A2 single crystal growth, B1 Alloys, B1 metals, NpPd3JRC.E.6-Actinides researc