Magnetization behaviour of DyAl2 single crystals

We report the theoretical interpretation of the magnetization and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of ferromagnetic DyAl₂ single crystals between 4.2 and 60 K and magnetic fields up to 15 T. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained by using three temperature independent parameters: the two crystal field parameters B₄ = (?0.50 ± 0.05) × 10^?4 meV, B₆ = ? (0.51 ± 0.05) × 10^?6 meV and the Curie temperature T_c = (62 ± 2) K.     

Crystal field splitting of Pr3+ in PrAl2 investigated by inelastic neutron scattering

We report the.results of an experimental determination of the crystal field splitting of Pr³⁺ in PrAl₂ by means of inelastic neutron scattering. For the crystal field parameters we obtain B₄ = (47.2 ± 4.0) × 10^?4 meV and B₆ = ? (156 ± 12) × 10^?6 meV.     

Low temperature heat capacity and magnetic excitation of HoAl2 in a magnetic field

The specific heat of single crystalline HoAl₂ in magnetic fields up to 7.5 T has been measured for the temperature range 1.5–16 K. In addition the energy of a magnetic excitation in a magnetic field of 5 T at 4.2 K has been determined by inelastic neutron scattering. The results have been interpreted with a cubic crystalline electric field and an exchange interaction using the same parameter set B₄=-0.85×10^-4 meV, B₆=+0.71× 10^-6 meV and T_C=31.5 K previously obtained by magnetization measurements.     

Crystal growth,structure, electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic properties of (NH4)2V3O8

A method to grow single crystals of ammonium vanadate (IV, V) (NH₄)₂V₃O₈ has been devised. The crystal structure is tetragonal P4bm; residual factor is R = 0.030. Cell parameters are $\text{a = 8.891 ± 0.004}\text{A}\text{?}$ and $\text{c = 5.582 + 0.002}\text{A}\text{?}$. The V⁵⁺ atom lies at the center of a triangular pyramide (VO₄ tetrahedron) while the V⁴⁺ atom is on A 4-fold rotation axis at the center of a square-based pyramide VO₅ whose symmetry point group is almost C_4v with the short V = O bond lying along the 4-fold axis parallel to the c edge of the tetragonal cell. Crystals are thin platlets with (001) cleavage planes. The platlets have very often a square or rectangular shape limited by {100} or {110} planes. Each single crystal was not large enough to record a good e.p.r. spectrum, but by sticking on the same quartz plate a score of them it was possible to gather enough crystals so to record correct spectra and by orienting the plate to obtain resonance lines separately for g_∥ = 1.9263 et g_τ = 1.9755. Measurements at 283 K on powder samples gave times for spin-spin relaxation T₂ = 0.4 × 10^?7s and for spin-lattice relaxation T₁ = 1.6 × 10^?7s. The magnetic structure is characterized by an exchange narrowing ω_e = 3 × 10¹⁰rad/s which corresponds to a transition temperature of about 0.5 K. Static susceptibility measurements at high magnetic field show a paramagnetic behaviour with an antiferromagnetic interaction which is interpreted in the magnetic space group P_2c4bm as the interaction between V⁴⁺ ions from consecutive planes parallel to (001).     

Shubnikov-de haas effect in n-CdSnAs2

Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in the transverse magnetoresistance of single-crystalline n-type CdSnAs₂ have been recorded at temperatures between 2 and 25 K in magnetic fields up to 5T. The electron concentration of the samples ranged from 2 × 10¹⁷ to 2 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3. The angular dependences of the oscillation periods and cyclotron effective masses showed that the conduction band exhibits an energy dependent anisotropy, obeying the Kildal band structure model. For the low-temperature values of the band parameters we found: a band gap E_g = 0.30 eV, a spin-orbit splitting Δ = 0.50 eV, a crystal field splitting parameter δ = ?0.09 eV, and an interband matrix element P = 8.5 × 10^?8eV cm. This simple four-level model was found to be not adequate to describe quantitatively the observed electronic effective g-factor for a sample with low electron concentration.     

Analysis of the optical spectrum of Ho3+ in LiYF4

The energy levels for Ho³⁺ in single crystal LiYF₄ from 0–21,300 cm^?1 have been determined from polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra using crystals at temperatures between 4 and 300°K. Energy level assignments were made initially by comparing the crystal spectra with energy levels calculated by using crystal field parameters interpolated from previously reported analyses of Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ in LiYF₄. The energy level scheme identifies energy levels in the 10 lowest J-multiplets and gives calculated energies for the next six higher J-multiplets. The crystal field parameters were varied to obtain a best fit between experimental and theoretical energies, and the final values B₂₀ = 410, B₄₀ = ? 615, B₄₄ = 819, B₆₀ = ? 27.9 and B₆₄ = 677 ± i32.8 cm^?1 give an r.m.s. fit of 2.78 cm^?1. The calculations were made by diagonalizing the crystal field Hamiltonian, H_x = Σ_kmB_kmC_km, in the space of ten lowest J-multiplets spanned by intermediate coupled free-ion wavefunctions calculated using the free-ion parameters of Carnall et al. for Ho in aqueous solution. The calculated g_∥ for the Γ_3.4 ground state of 13.63 compares favorably with a previously reported value of 13.3 ± 0.1.     

Investigation of TmFe4Al8 and DyFe4Al8 by means of 169Tm and 161Dy Mössbauer spectroscopy

We have performed ¹⁶⁹Tm and ¹⁶¹Dy Mössbauer spectroscopy on TmFe₄Al₈ and DyFe₄Al₈. From the temperature dependence of the electric quadrupole splitting of the ¹⁶⁹Tm spectra of TmFe₄Al₈ we have determined the second order crystal field potential V⁰₂ = (100 ± 10) K and the exchange field term g_Jμ_BH_M = (1 ± 1) K. The temperature dependence of the hyperfine field of the ¹⁶¹Dy spectrum of DyFe₄Al₈ gives g_Jμ_BH_M = (15 ± 3) K. With these exchange fields magnetic transition temperatures of the rare earth sublattices were found, which are consistent with experiment. The relaxation behaviour of the Tm sublattice below T_N = 187 K is discussed.     

Possible observation of the coexistence of superconductivity and long-range magnetic order in NdRh4B4

The ternary rare earth compound NdRh₄B₄ has been studied by means of critical field, low temperature heat capacity, and static magnetic susceptibility measurements. Features in the upper critical field and heat capacity data at 1.31 K and 0.89 K suggest the occurrence of long-range magnetic order in the superconducting state. The temperature dependence of the static magnetic susceptibility follows a Curie-Weiss law with an effective magnetic moment μ_eff = 3.58 ± 0.05 μ_B and a Curie-Weiss temperature θ_p = ?6.2 ± 1.0 K between 20 K and room temperature. However,, magnetization vs. applied magnetic field isotherms suggest the development of a ferromagnetic component in the Nd³⁺ magnetization at low temperatures.     

Magnetic properties of iron marcasite FeS2

The magnetic susceptibility, χ, of a natural single crystal of marcasite, FeS₂, has been measured between 300K down to 4K. At room temperature χ=0.3×10^?5 emu/g and it is temperature independent down to 10K. Below 10K it increases up to 1.3×10^?5 emu/g. It is concluded that iron in marcasite is in the Fe²⁺ low spin state, and that the 6d electrons occupy the t_2g ground state. Consequently iron in marcasite (FeS₂) is not magnetic in agreement with our Mössbauer spectra recorded at 4.2K in an external magnetic field up to 39.9 kOe. The small value of χ is explained in terms of contributions from ppm impurities. i.e., diamagnetism and Van Vleck paramagnetism.     

Critical currents of LaMo6S8 thin films

The thin films of LaMo₆S₈ were prepared by d.c. getter sputtering method. Critical current have been measured vs applied magnetic field B_⊥ up to 8 T at the temperature ranged from 1.7 to 4.2 K. The highest critical current density reached was J_c = 1.7 × 10⁷ Am^?2 at B = 0 and T = 1.7 K. Based on the measurements performed, it was possible to indicate that depending on the heat treatment applied, the pinning forces created in the LaMo₆S₈ thin films obey the scaling law.     

Light induced charge transfer processes in Cr doped Bi12GeO20 and Bi12SiO20 single crystals

Optical absorption and ESR spectra of Bi₁₂GeO₂₀ doped with Cr were measured before and after illumination with visible light. It was found that Cr⁴⁺ ions in tetrahedral position are responsible for light induced ESR and optical spectra. The g-factor of the center is 1.945 ± 0.002. Crystal field parameters for the Cr⁴⁺ center are D_q = 820 cm^?1 and B = 429cm^?1. The photochromic effect is explained in terms of a Cr⁵⁺?Cr⁴⁺ charge transfer process.     

Light-induced charge transfer processes in Mn-doped Bi12GeO20 and Bi12SiO20 single crystals

The optical absorption and ESR spectra of Bi₁₂GeO₂₀ and B₁₂SiO₂₀ doped with Mn have been measured before and after illumination with visible light. Uniaxial stress measurements on a sharp line observed at 8026 cm^?1 were performed. The observed ESR spectrum is a superposition of six lines resulting from the hyperfine interaction of manganese ions in tetrahedral positions. The g-factor and hyperfine constant are g = 1.999 ± 0.003 and A = 78 Gs. Analysis of the light-induced absorption spectrum leads to the conclusion that a small hole polaron bound to an Mn impurity at a tetrahedral site is responsible for the very broad absorption band which appears after illumination. The sharp line is interpreted as due to a transition inside the Mn⁺ center in tetrahedral coordination. Bands in the region 10,000–16,000 cm^?1 are due to Mn³⁺ centers in interstitial positions, whose symmetry can be treated to a first approximation as tetragonal. The following crystal field parameters for this center were found: B = 565 cm^?1, Dq = 1400 cm^?1, Dt = ?330 cm^?1, Ds = 4170 cm^?1 and C = 2260 cm^?1. The illumination conditions which are needed for homogeneous coloration of the sample are also discussed.     

Laser-induced fluorescence and microwave-optical double-resonance study of the B1Σ+-X1Σ+ system of magnesium monoxide

Doppler-limited, laser-induced fluorescence spectra on the B¹Σ⁺-X¹Σ⁺ (v′ = v″ = 0 and 1) system of MgO have been obtained. The results of the optical analysis were merged with our microwave-optical double-resonance measurements to produce the following set of spectroscopic parameters for the B and X states, where the units are in cm^?1, and the uncertainties represent 95% confidence limits: T′_0.0 = 20003.594(2); B′₀ = 0.58004(3); D′₀ = 1.13(2) × 10^?6; B″₀ = 0.57198(3); D″₀ = 1.20(2) × 10⁶; T′_1.1 = 20043.423(2); B′₁ = 0.57528(4); D′₁ = 1.14(11) × 10⁶; B″₁ = 0.56674(4); D″₁ = 1.22(10) × 10⁶.     

The magnetization of GdAl2

The magnetization of a single crystal of GdAl₂ has been measured parallel to the easy direction as a function of field (maximum field 1.7 T) within the temperature range 4.2–300 K. The main emphasis was placed on the results obtained for the ferromagnetic phase. From an analysis based on molecular field theory it is deduced that the magnetic moment at 0 K is 7.2 μ_B per Gd ion and that the molecular field cannot be represented by a simpler polynomial than λ₁M + λ₂M³ + λ₃M⁵. The same data is analysed using spin-wave theory from which it is deduced that the spin-wave stiffness is 18 meV Ų and that the conduction band susceptibility is approximately 2.6 x 10^-6 emu g^-1. The conduction electron polarization, parallel to the Gd ion moment, amounting to 0.2 μ_B per Gd ion implies the presence of an internal field acting on the conduction electrons of approximately 200 T at 0 K.     

Knight shifts and magnetic susceptibilities of the intermetallic compounds CeCu4 and CeCu5

The magnetic susceptibility and Knight shift of the compounds CeCu₄ and CeCu₅ have been measured over the temperature ranges 80–800 and 140–400 K, respectively. The most important contributions to the magnetic susceptibility are the Curie-Weiss term, expressing the paramagnetism of the localized ?-electrons, and a temperature independent term, which have both been determined. The phenomenological exchange integral F_s? between the 4?-electron spins and conduction electron spins was found to be ?10.43× 10^?3 eV for CeCu₄ and 3.9 × 10^?3 eV for CeCu₅. A reversal in the sign of the s?? coupling for CeCu₅ is noted.     

Far-infrared absorption of MgO: Fe2+ in magnetic fields

We have measured the far-infrared absorption of iron-doped MgO in the wavenumber region 10–200 cm^?1 and in magnetic fields up to 6 T. Absorption peaks found at 107.0 and 110.5 cm^?1 are assigned to magnetic dipole transitions between the spin-orbit Г_5g groundstate (J = 1) and the Г_3g, Г_4g excited states (J = 2) of the Fe²⁺ -ion at a cubic site. The observed magnetic field dependence shows that Г_4g is the higher excited level, so that the crystal field order of the levels is not changed by the reduction of the spin-orbit splitting attributed to a dynamic Jahn-Teller effect. An additional absorption peak at 33.4 cm^?1 is found to split in magnetic field.In iron-doped KMgF₃ absorption peaks at 52 and 87 cm^?1 that have previously been attributed to the same transitions of Fe²⁺ are found to remain unshifted and unsplit in magnetic fields up to 6 T.     

Transport properties of n-type ferromagnetic semiconductor HgCr2−xInxSe4(x = 0.100)

Measurements of the electrical conductivity, magnetoresistance, and Hall effect were performed on a n-type ferromagnetic semiconductor HgCr_2?xIn_xSe₄(x = 0.100) single crystal from 6.3 to 296 K in magnetic fields up to 1.19×l0⁶A/m. The conductivity decreases rapidly near the Curie temperatureT_c (≈120 K) as the temperature is raised. A large peak in the magnetoresistance is observed near T_c. The Hall effect measurements indicate that the temperature dependence of the conductivity and the magnetoresistance are due mostly to a change in electron mobility. The electron mobility is 1.2 × 10^?2 m²/V · s at 6.3 K, and decreases rapidly near T_c with the rise in temperature. Then it increases slowly from 5.5 × 10^?4 m²/V · s at 160 K to 7.5 × 10^?4 m²/V · s at 241 K. This temperature dependence of the electron mobility can be explained in terms of the spin-disorder scattering which takes into account the exchange interaction between charge carriers and localized magnetic moments.     

Absorption spectrum of Cs2Mg(SO4)2 · 6H2O:Ni2+ single crystals

The absorption spectrum of Ni²⁺ doped in Cs₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 6H₂O single crystals has been studied at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures in the range 7000–34000 cm^?1. The observed spectrum is satisfactorily interpreted in terms of cubic ligand field model including spin-orbit coulping. The ligand field parameters evaluated to best fit the observed spectrum are B = 955 cm^?1, C = 3572 cm^?1, Dq = 910 cm^?1 and ξ = 550 cm^?1. The non-ligand field band observed at 77K has been interpreted to be the superposition of vabrational mode of SO₄^2? radical on ₃T_1g(F) band.     

Critical behaviour of a uniaxial ferromagnet,ErCl3·6H2O with predominant dipolar interactions

The parallel magnetic susceptibility χ of a uniaxial ferromagnet ErCl₃·6H₂O has been measured between 0.3 and 4.2K and specially near T_c = 0.353 K. The predominant contribution to the Curie-Weiss temperature is due to the dipolar interactions. χ is proportional to ?^?γ with $\text{? =}\text{T}\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{?1}$ in the range 10^?3 < ? < 5 × 10^?2. The γ value, γ = 1.01 ±0.03 is consistent with the theoretical prediction for a uniaxial dipolar ferromagnet.     

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K1 of iron and nickel

Previous values of the pressure dependence of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K₁ of iron and nickel were revised. These values of K₁^?1 ($\text{dK}{}_1\text{dp}$) depend on the magnetic field for iron, and do not for nickel. The value in iron extrapolated to infinitely strong magnetic field is ?7.8×10^?6 bar^?1 at room temperature and ?7.3×10^?6 bar^?1 at 77K, and in nickel at 15 KOe is ?7.5×10^?6 bar^?1 at room temperature and ?2.8×10^?6 bar^?1 at 77K.