Phase transition in YbAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>C<Subscript>3</Subscript>

<Superscript>170</Superscript>Yb Mössbauer spectroscopy, temperature dependent X-ray, magnetisation and specific heat data are presented in the hexagonal intermetallic YbAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>C<Subscript>3</Subscript>, in order to shed light on the isostructural transition occurring near 80 K and to investigate the electronic state of the Yb ion above and below the transition. In the low temperature phase, we find that there occurs an atomic rearrangement in the hexagonal unit cell, leading to a strong symmetry lowering at the Yb site. We show that no magnetic ordering of the Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> moments occurs down to 0.04 K, and we discuss this finding in terms of 4f-conduction electron hybridisation and geometric frustration. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2008