Low temperature thermodynamical properties of ErCu2Si2

ErCu₂Si₂ crystallises in the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type crystal structure. In this paper results of magnetometric, electrical transport, specific heat as well as neutron diffraction are reported. Results of electrical resistivity and specific heat measurements performed at low temperature yield existence of magnetic ordering roughly at 1.3 K. These results are in concert with neutron diffraction measurements, which reveal simple antiferromagnetic ordering between 0.47 and 1.00 K. At temperatures ranging from 1.00 up to 1.50 K an additional incommensurate magnetic structure was observed. The propagation vector k=(0;0;0.074) was proposed to describe magnetic reflections within the amplitude modulated magnetic structure. Basing on specific heat studies the crystal field levels splitting scheme and magnetic entropy were calculated.     

Magnetic properties of NdAu2Ge2

Physical properties of NdAu₂Ge₂, crystallising with the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type crystal structure, were investigated by means of magnetic, calorimetric and electrical transport measurements as well as by neutron diffraction. The compound exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N=4.5 K with a collinear magnetic structure of the AFI-type. The neodymium magnetic moments are parallel to the c-axis and amount to 1.04(4) μ_B at 1.5 K. The observed magnetic behaviour is strongly influenced by crystalline electric field effect.     

Magnetic and transport properties of Pr2Pt3Si5

We have investigated the magnetic and transport properties of a polycrystalline Pr₂Pt₃Si₅ sample through the dc and ac magnetic susceptibilities, electrical resistivity, and specific heat measurements. The Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction data reveals that Pr₂Pt₃Si₅ crystallizes in the U₂Co₃Si₅-type orthorhombic structure (space group Ibam). Both the dc and ac magnetic susceptibility data measured at low fields exhibit sharp anomaly near 15 K. In contrast, the specific heat data exhibit only a broad anomaly implying no long range magnetic order down to 2 K. The broad Schottky-type anomaly in low temperature specific heat data is interpreted in terms of crystal electric field (CEF) effect, and a CEF-split singlet ground state is inferred. The absence of the long range order is attributed to the presence of nonmagnetic singlet ground state of the Pr³⁺ ion. The electrical resistivity data exhibit metallic behavior and are well described by the Bloch–Grüniesen–Mott relation.     

Crystal field interactions in DyFe2Si2 and DyFe2Ge2

Two sets of crystal field (CF) parameters have been proposed for DyFe₂Si₂, none of which could provide a simultaneous explanation of the available experimental data, particularly at low temperatures (below 100 K). The set derived from magnetic studies could not even explain the thermal variation of the magnetic specific heat reported in the same work. Although the set of CF parameters, obtained from a fit to the Mossbauer spectra, could provide a fairly good explanation of the thermal variation of the magnetic susceptibilities along the c-axis, it could not explain the observed thermal variation of other reported experimental findings. In the present work, an appraisal of the CF parameters proposed earlier has been done and a set of CF parameters has been derived, which provide a simultaneous explanation of all the available experimental data. The effect of substitution of Ge for Si on the magnetic properties and the magnetic specific heat of DyFe₂Si₂ has been studied in the framework of one electron crystal field model. The inelastic neutron scattering studies and EPR measurements are required to check the predicted Stark energies and the paramagnetic resonance g-values.     

Neutron diffraction studies of Tb2Rh3Si5 compound

In this work neutron diffraction studies of Tb₂Rh₃Si₅ compound are reported. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal structure of Lu₂Co₃Si₅-type. At 1.5 K an antiferromagnetic ordering with a propagation vector k=(1/2;1/2;1/2) was observed. The Tb magnetic moments of 9.8(2) μ_B form a non-collinear magnetic structure. In the vicinity of Néel temperature of 8 K a change of the magnetic ordering is evidenced. The change seems to be connected with phase transition from commensurate to incommensurate sine-wave modulation of the Tb magnetic moments.     

Anisotropic and large low-field magnetic entropy change in a La4/3Sr5/3Mn2O7 single crystal

We have studied the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in a bilayered La_4/3Sr_5/3Mn₂O₇ single crystal with applied field along both ab-plane and c-direction. Due to the quasi-two-dimensional structure, the crystal exhibits a strong anisotropy in the MCE. The difference of magnetic entropy change between two crystallographic directions depends on external magnetic fields and has a maximum of 2 J/kg K. A large low-field magnetic entropy change, reaching 3.2 J/kg K for a magnetic field change of 15 kOe, is observed when the applied field is along ab-plane. This large low-field magnetic entropy change is attributed to the rapid change of magnetization in response to external magnetic fields in the easy magnetizing plane.     

Magnetic anomalies in single crystalline ErPd2Si2

Considering certain interesting features in the previously reported ¹⁶⁶Er Mössbauer effect, and neutron diffraction data on the polycrystalline form of ErPd₂Si₂ crystallizing in the ThCr₂Si₂-type tetragonal structure, we have carried out magnetic measurements (1.8–300 K) on the single crystalline form of this compound. We observe significant anisotropy in the absolute values of magnetization (indicating that the easy axis is c-axis) as well as in features due to magnetic ordering in the plot of magnetic susceptibility χ versus temperature T at low temperatures. The χ(T) data reveal that there is a pseudo-low-dimensional magnetic order setting in at 4.8 K, with a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic order setting in at a lower temperature (3.8 K). A new finding in the χ(T) data is that, for H∥〈1 1 0〉 but not for H∥〈0 0 1〉, there is a broad shoulder in the range 8–20 K, indicative of the existence of magnetic correlations above 5 K as well, which could be related to the previously reported slow-relaxation-dominated Mössbauer spectra. Interestingly, the temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity is found to be isotropic; no feature due to magnetic ordering could be detected in the electrical resistivity data at low temperatures, which is attributed to magnetic Brillioun-zone boundary gap effects. The results reveal the complex nature of magnetism of this compound.     

Pressure dependence of the magnetization in Pr5Si3

We report the low temperature magnetization and specific heat of single-crystal Pr₅Si₃ at ambient pressure under magnetic field up to 9 T and temperatures down to 3 K. Pr₅Si₃ orders ferromagnetically below . The ferromagnetic state is strongly anisotropic where the basal plane in the body-centered tetragonal crystal structure is the easy-magnetic plane. Under hydrostatic pressures up to 18 kbar the magnetization for temperatures down to 3 K and magnetic fields up to 9 T shows only a weak variation of the ordered moment and T_C. Magnetization loops at low magnetic fields show changes of the hysteresis loops, notably the emergence of shoulder at the coercive field, that are characteristic of a ferrimagnetic modulation that is stabilized under pressure.     

Crystal field investigation on the magnetic properties of Yb in Yb(CF3SO3)3·9H2O

Ytterbium tri-fluoromethanesulfonate (YbTFMS) single crystals are prepared from the slow evaporation of the aqueous solution of YbTFMS and the principal magnetic susceptibility perpendicular to the c-axis of the hexagonal crystal (χ_⊥) is measured from 300 K down to 13 K. Principal magnetic anisotropy Δχ(=χ_∥−χ_⊥) is measured from 300 K down to 80 K which provides principal magnetic susceptibility parallel to the c-axis (χ_∥) down to 80 K. Very good theoretical simulation of the observed magnetic properties of YbTFMS has been obtained using one electron crystal field (CF) analysis having C_3h site symmetry. No signature of ordering effect in the observed magnetic data is noticed down to the lowest temperature (13 K) attained, indicating the inter-ionic interaction to be of predominantly dipolar type. The calculated g-values are found to be g_∥=2.67 and g_⊥=2.51, respectively. CF analysis provides the electronic specific heat which gives two Schottky anomalies in its thermal variation down to ∼13 K. The temperature dependences of quadrupole splitting and hyperfine heat capacity are studied from the necessary information obtained from the CF analysis.     

Effect of interstitial nitrogen on magnetism and entropy change of LaFe11.7Si1.3 compound

Crystal structure, magnetism and magnetocaloric properties of LaFe_11.7Si_1.3N_y (y=0, 1.3) compounds have been studied by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The LaFe_11.7Si_1.3N_y compounds present a cubic NaZn₁₃-type structure. Insertion of 1.3 nitrogen atoms per LaFe_11.7Si_1.3 formula increases the lattice parameter and Curie temperature from 11.467 to 11.733 Å and from 190 to ∼230 K, respectively. Besides, the absorption of nitrogen drives drastically the magnetic transition from first to second order and accordingly strongly decreases the magnetocaloric effect compared to the parent alloy. Under an external field change of 5 T, the value of isothermal entropy change −ΔS is about 28 and 3.5 J/kg K for LaFe_11.7Si_1.3 and LaFe_11.7Si_1.3N_1.3, respectively, close to their Curie temperature. However, the relative cooling power RCP(S) of the nitride is about half that of the parent alloy.     

Effect of Fe-substitution on microstructure, hysteresis behaviour and magnetocaloric effect in Gd5Si2Ge2 Alloys

Effect of Fe-substitution on the phase formation, partitioning behaviour of Fe in the co-existing phases, magneto-structural transition, magnetic entropy change and associated hysteresis losses has been investigated in Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ alloy. The virgin alloy crystallizes in monoclinic Gd₅Si₂Ge₂-type phase, while Fe-substituted alloys form mixed monoclinic Gd₅Si₂Ge₂-type and orthorhombic Gd₅Si₄-type phases. Electron probe microanalysis reveals that Fe does not dissolve in the matrix, but influences the magneto-structural transitions. Magneto-structural characterization of the Fe-containing alloys reveals that the Fe-substitution suppresses the structural transition observed at 273 K in virgin alloy. A maximum magnetic entropy change, ΔS_M of 6.5 J/kg-K at 273 K was observed for a field change of 2 T in Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ alloy. The Fe-substituted alloys exhibit lower value of ΔS_M but with reduced hysteresis losses.     

Magnetocaloric effect of Gd5SixSn4−x Alloys

The crystal structure and magnetocaloric effect of Gd₅Si_xSn_4−x   (with x=2.4$x=2.4$, 2.6 and 2.8) alloys were studied by means of X-ray power diffraction (XRD) and magnetic measurements. From the XRD results, these alloys adopt a Gd₅Si₄-type structure for x=2.8$x=2.8$, Gd₅Si₄-type and Gd₅Si₂Ge₂-type mixed structures for x=2.4$x=2.4$ and 2.6, while some minor phases can also be found. The Curie temperatures of the Gd₅Si_xSn_4−x increases gradually when x increases from 276 K for x=2.4$x=2.4$, to 301.5 K for x=2.8$x=2.8$. Magnetic entropy changes of these alloys at a magnetic field change of 0–1.8 T are 1.88, 2.26 and 1.69 J/kg K for x=2.4$x=2.4$, 2.6 and 2.8, respectively. The temperature-dependent XRD analysis shows that there is no crystallographic transition for these alloys, which can explain their low magnetic entropy changes.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of pseudo-one-dimensional calcium iridium oxide Ca5Ir3O12

The electrical and magnetic properties of one-dimensional calcium iridium oxide Ca₅Ir₃O₁₂ are investigated. A weak ferromagnetic transition has been found at 7.5 K through magnetic susceptibility measurements. At the same temperature, a λ-type specific heat anomaly has been observed. The effective magnetic moments in the paramagnetic temperature range and the magnetic entropy due to the magnetic transition indicates that the tetravalent and pentavalent Ir ions exist in the ratio of 1:2. Another λ-type anomaly has been observed at 105 K in the temperature dependence of the specific heat. The electrical conductivity shows one-dimensional Mott variable-range hopping conduction behavior.     

The magnetic structure of the compound Ho5Sb3

We have investigated the magnetic behavior of Ho₅Sb₃ compound (Mn₅Si₃-type, hexagonal; a=0.8865(1) nm, c=0.6232(1) nm, as derived from X-ray Guinier powder pattern) by using the techniques of magnetization, electrical resistivity, heat capacity and neutron diffraction. We find that Ho₅Sb₃ exhibits a ferrimagnetic type (Ferrimagnet I) ordering below 60 K with propagation vectors K₀=[0, 0, 1] and K₁=[±K_x, 0, 0]. Below 40 K, the thermal variation of magnetic reflections and the appearance of an additional magnetic component with propagation vector K₂=[0, 1/2, 0] show the onset of an antiferromagnetic type of ordering in the magnetic structure; which evolves into yet another ferrimagnetic structure (Ferrimagnet II) as the temperature is lowered down to 2 K. The magnetic moments of the Ho atoms at the (4d) and (6g) sites with magnitudes of nearly 7.4 and 6.3 μ_B at 2 K, respectively, are inclined approximately at 70° to the c-axis.     

Magnetic behavior of nanocrystalline LaMn2Ge2

The compound, LaMn₂Ge₂, crystallizing in ThCr₂Si₂-type tetragonal crystal structure, has been known to undergo ferromagnetic order below (T_C=) 326 K. In this article, we report the magnetic behavior of nanocrystalline form of this compound, obtained by high-energy ball milling. T_C of this compound is reduced marginally for the nanoform, whereas there is a significant reduction of the magnitude of the saturation magnetic moment with increasing milling time. The coercive field however increases with decreasing particle size. Thus, this work provides a route to tune these parameters by reducing the particle size in this ternary family.     

Specific heat of EuIn2P2 at high magnetic fields

We have carried out specific heat measurements on EuIn₂P₂ at high magnetic fields perpendicular to the c-axis in the hexagonal crystal structure in order to understand its thermal properties. The temperature dependence of the specific heat exhibits a clear λ-type anomaly due to a magnetic transition at , indicating that the magnetic transition is of second-order. The λ-type anomaly becomes markedly broader with increasing the magnetic field. This remarkable field-dependence is consistent with the results of previous magnetization measurements which suggest that Eu²⁺ magnetic moments align ferromagnetically perpendicular to the c-axis below T_C. In addition, a hump in the specific heat is observed around 7 K, which can be ascribed to the Zeeman splitting of the Eu²⁺ multiplet by internal magnetic fields.     

Valence fluctuation in Ce2Co3Ge5 and crystal field effect in Pr2Co3Ge5

Polycrystalline samples of ternary rare-earth germanides R₂Co₃Ge₅ (R=La, Ce and Pr) have been prepared and investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility, isothermal magnetization, electrical resistivity and specific heat measurements. All these compounds crystallize in orthorhombic U₂Co₃Si₅ structure (space group Ibam). No evidence of magnetic or superconducting transition is observed in any of these compounds down to 2 K. The unit cell volume of Ce₂Co₃Ge₅ deviates from the expected lanthanide contraction, indicating non trivalent state of Ce ions in this compound. The reduced value of effective moment (μ_eff≈0.95 μ_B) compared to that expected for trivalent Ce ions further supports valence-fluctuating nature of Ce in Ce₂Co₃Ge₅. The observed temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility is consistent with the ionic interconfiguration fluctuation (ICF) model. Although no sharp anomaly due to a phase transition is seen, a broad Schottky-type anomaly is observed in the magnetic part of specific heat of Pr₂Co₃Ge₅. An analysis of C_mag data suggests a singlet ground state in Pr₂Co₃Ge₅ separated from the singlet first excited state by 22 K and a doublet second excited state at 73 K.     

The effect of different temperature annealing on phase relation of LaFe11.5Si1.5 and the magnetocaloric effects of La0.8Ce0.2Fe11.5−xCoxSi1.5 alloys

The phase relation of LaFe_11.5Si_1.5 alloys annealed at different high-temperature from 1223 K (5 h) to 1673 K (0.5 h) has been studied. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that large amount of 1:13 phase begins to form in the matrix alloy consisting of α-Fe and LaFeSi phases when the annealing temperature is 1423 K. In the temperature range from 1423  to 1523 K, α-Fe and LaFeSi phases rapidly decrease to form 1:13 phase, and LaFeSi phase is rarely observed in the XRD pattern of LaFe_11.5Si_1.5 alloy annealed at 1523 K. With annealing temperature increasing from 1573  to 1673 K, the LaFeSi phase is detected again in the LaFe_11.5Si_1.5 alloy, and there is La₅Si₃ phase when the annealing temperature reaches 1673 K. There almost is no change in the XRD patterns of LaFe_11.5Si_1.5 alloys annealed at 1523 K for 3-5 h. According to this result, the La_0.8Ce_0.2Fe_11.5−xCo_xSi_1.5 (0≤×≤0.7) alloys are annealed at 1523 K (3 h). The analysis of XRD patterns shows that La_0.8Ce_0.2Fe_11.5xCo_xSi_1.5 alloys consist of the NaZn₁₃-type main phase and α-Fe impurity phase. With the increase of Co content from x=0 to 0.7, the Curie temperature T_C increases from 180 to 266 K. Because the increase of Co content can weaken the itinerant electron metamagnetic transition, the order of the magnetic transition at T_C changes from first to second-order between x=0.3 and 0.5. Although the magnetic entropy change decreases from 34.9 to 6.8 J/kg K with increasing Co concentration at a low magnetic field of 0-2 T, the thermal and magnetic hysteresis loss reduces remarkably, which is very important for the magnetic refrigerant near room temperature.     

Magnetic characterization of Mn5SiB2 and Mn5Si3 phases

In this work the Mn₅Si₃ and Mn₅SiB₂ phases were produced via arc melting and heat treatment at 1000 °C for 50 h under argon. A detailed microstructure characterization indicated the formation of single-phase Mn₅Si₃ and near single-phase Mn₅SiB₂ microstructures. The magnetic behavior of the Mn₅Si₃ phase was investigated and the results are in agreement with previous data from the literature, which indicates the existence of two anti-ferromagnetic structures for temperatures below 98 K. The Mn₅SiB₂ phase shows a ferromagnetic behavior presenting a saturation magnetization M_s of about 5.35×10⁵ A/m (0.67 T) at room temperature and an estimated Curie temperature between 470 and 490 K. In addition, AC susceptibility data indicates no evidence of any other magnetic ordering in 4-300 K temperature range. The magnetization values are smaller than that calculated using the magnetic moment from previous literature NMR results. This result suggests a probable ferrimagnetic arrangement of the Mn moments.     

Effect of pressure and magnetic field on bilayer La1.25Sr1.75Mn2O7 single crystal

We report the temperature dependence of susceptibility for various pressures, magnetic fields and constant magnetic field of 5 T with various pressures on La_2−2xSr_1+2xMn₂O₇ single crystal to understand the effectiveness of pressure and magnetic field in altering the magnetic properties. We find that the Curie temperature, T_c, increases under pressure (dT_c/dP=10.9 K/GPa) and it indicates the enhancement of ferromagnetic phase under pressure up to 2 GPa. The magnetic field dependence of T_c is about 26 K for 3 T. The combined effect of pressure and constant magnetic field (5 T) shows dT_c/dP=11.3 K/GPa and the peak structure is suppressed and broadened. The application of magnetic field of 5 T realizes 3D spin ordered state below T_c at atmospheric pressure. Both peak structure in χ_c and 3D spin ordered state are suppressed, and changes to 2D-like spin ordered state by increase of pressure. These results reveal that the pressure and the magnetic field are more competitive in altering the magnetic properties of bilayer manganite La_1.25Sr_1.75Mn₂O₇ single crystal.