Spin-reorientation transitions and domain structure in TbFe<Subscript>11−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> Co<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ti single crystals

The magnetic structure of single-crystal TbFe_11?xCo_xTi compounds has been studied over a broad temperature range and in strong magnetic fields (up to 14 T). Measurements of magnetization and magnetostriction and a study of the domain structure revealed that spin-reorientation transitions (SRTs) in TbFe_11?xCo_xTi single crystals depend substantially on the cobalt concentration. It was established that the SRT temperatures and threshold magnetic fields are governed by the interplay between the magnetic anisotropies of the 3d and terbium sublattices. It is shown that, in these compounds, the low-temperature phase with planar anisotropy is separated in temperature from the high-temperature phase with uniaxial anisotropy by an intermediate metastable phase containing domains of the uniaxial or planar phase.     

Specific features in thermal expansion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>Fe<Subscript>11</Subscript>Ti single crystals

Thermal expansion and its anomalies in the vicinity of spin-reorientation phase transitions in single crystals of RFe₁₁Ti (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) compounds are investigated by the tensometric technique in the temperature range 77–400 K. The temperature dependences of the thermal expansion coefficient α(T) are obtained. It is found that the YFe₁₁Ti and HoFe₁₁Ti uniaxial magnetic materials exhibit pronounced anomalies in the α coefficient at T=200 and 290 K. For the TbFe₁₁Ti single crystal, the α coefficient is close to zero in the vicinity of the spin-reorientation phase transition (at T=325 K). For the DyFe₁₁Ti single crystal, which is characterized by two spin-reorientation phase transitions (at T=120 and 250 K), no features in the α(T) dependence are revealed in the region of the low-temperature spin-reorientation phase transition. In the ErFe₁₁Ti single crystal, the specific feature of thermal expansion is observed at T ～ 220 K.     

Physical reasons for the emergence of jumps during rotation of the magnetization of a two-sublattice ferrimagnet at low temperatures

It is shown that the contribution of the intersublattice exchange interaction to the magnetic anisotropy energy of a two-sublattice ferrimagnet can come only from higher order constants satisfying the condition 2K₂+3K₃+?>0. For this reason, for different signs of the first anisotropy constants of the sublattices, this contribution may cause a spontaneous spin-reorientation second-order transition, but not first-order transitions and jumps during magnetization rotation, which are associated with such a transition. Such jumps can appear only when the opposite inequality is satisfied, and the corresponding contribution to anisotropy can be ensured only by a fairly strong magnetoelastic interaction.     

Theoretical prediction of a surface-induced spin-reorientation phase transition in BaFe<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript> nanocrystals

The equation of the magnetization of a hexagonal crystal is derived for the first time for an arbitrary orientation of the external magnetic field relative to the crystallographic c axis. In order to clarify the magnetization mechanism for a real ensemble of small particles in the framework of the given problem, surface anisotropy (which is significant for nanosize objects) was taken into account along with crystalline magnetic anisotropy and anisotropy in the particle shape. Model computer experiments prove that the magnetization curves for nanocrystals oriented in a polar angle range of 65–90° exhibit an anomaly in the form of a jump, indicating a first-order spin-reorientation phase transition. This explains a larger steepness of the experimental curve reconstructed taking into account the interaction between particles as compared to the theoretical dependence obtained by Stoner and Wohlfarth [IEEE Trans. Magn. MAG 27 (4), 3469 (1991)]. An analysis of variation of the characteristic anisotropy surface and its cross section with increasing ratio |K₂|/K₁ of the crystalline magnetic anisotropy constants upon a transition from a macroscopic to a nanoscopic crystal shows that surface anisotropy leads to a change in the magnetic structure. As a result, an additional easy magnetization direction emerges in the basal plane apart from the easiest magnetization direction (along the c axis). The direction of hard magnetization emerges from the basal plane, the angle of its orientation relative to the c axis being a function of the ratio | K₂|/K₁.     

Effect of hydrogenation on the magnetic properties of the intermetallic compound Er2Fe14B with single-crystal and nanocrystalline structures

Hydrogenated single crystals Er₂Fe₁₄Bh _x with different hydrogen contents are grown and their magnetic properties are studied for the first time. It is established that both the Curie temperature and the temperature of the spin-reorientation phase transition increase with an increase in the hydrogen content. In the Er₂Fe₁₄B single crystal, the contributions of the rare-earth metal and iron sublattices to the magnetic anisotropy decrease upon hydrogenation. However, their compensation occurs at a temperature higher than that in the initial compound Er₂Fe₁₄B due to the enhancement of the Fe-Fe and R-Fe exchange interactions. The effect of hydrogenation on the magnetic characteristics of the Er₂Fe₁₄B compound with a nanocrystalline structure is investigated. It is revealed that the hydrogenation leads to an increase in the coercive force and the residual magnetization of these alloys.     

Magnetic anisotropy of YFe11Ti and its hydride

A study of the magnetic anisotropy of single-crystal YFe₁₁Ti and of its hydride is reported. The measurements were performed on a vibrating-sample and a torsion magnetometer on field-oriented single-crystal and powder samples. The temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy constants K ₁ and K ₂ was determined by a mathematical treatment of experimental torque curves and by applying the Sucksmith-Thompson technique to magnetization data. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy constants of YFe₁₁Ti and of its hydride does not follow the prediction of the single-ion exchange model. It is found that hydrogenenation results in a growth of the magnetic anisotropy constant, which can be explained by an electron-density redistribution near the lattice positions occupied by iron atoms. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 285–289 (February 1998)     

Field-induced spin-reorientation transitions in magnetic superlattices with uniaxial anisotropy and biquadratic exchange

Phase transitions induced by an external field are investigated in magnetic multilayer systems with uniaxial anisotropy and biquadratic exchange. A magnetic field directed perpendicular to the plane of the layers changes the effective anisotropy and exchange constants, determining the orientation of the magnetization in the plane of the layers, and can give rise to spin-reorientation transitions. All possible types of such transitions are investigated for the case of uniaxial anisotropy, which differs substantially from the case of cubic anisotropy by the different renormalization of the effective anisotropy constants. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 461–463 (March 1999)     

化合物HoMn6Sn6的磁晶各向异性及自旋重取向相变研究

采用交换相互作用的分子场理论模型对金属间化合物HoMn₆Sn₆的自旋重取向相变进行了研究. 从理论上计算了HoMn₆Sn₆的易磁化方向以及Ho和Mn离子磁矩与c轴夹角随温度的变化. 基于单离子模型计算了Ho离子的一阶和二阶磁晶各向异性常数K_1R和K_2R随温度的变化. 研究表明，为了很好描述该化合物的自旋重取向相变，必须考虑Ho离子的四阶晶场项及相应的二阶磁晶各向异性常数K_2R，K_2R与K_1R和Mn离子磁晶各向异性常数K_1t之间的相互竞争是导致HoMn₆Sn₆自旋重取向相变的重要因素. 关键词： 稀土-过渡族金属间化合物 自旋重取向 磁晶各向异性     

Investigation of the magnetic properties and magnetic structure parameters of nanocrystalline Fe<Subscript>79</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>10</Subscript>N<Subscript>11</Subscript> films

The magnetic properties (magnetization curve, ferromagnetic resonance spectrum) of nanocrystalline Fe₇₉Zr₁₀N₁₁ films obtained by RF magnetron sputtering with subsequent annealing were studied experimentally, along with the fundamental magnetic constants of these films (saturation magnetization M _S, local magnetic anisotropy energy K, and the exchange coupling constant A). The magnetic properties are discussed within the random magnetic model, which determines the correlation of the magnetic properties with the fundamental magnetic constants and nanostructure parameters (grain size, magnetic anisotropy, and correlation radius R _C). The exchange correlation length 2R _L for the film magnetic microstructure was determined by correlation magnetometry.     

Theory of first order magnetization processes: Uniaxial anisotropy

The first order magnetization process (FOMP) is associated with the irreversible rotation of the magnetization vector M_s between inequivalent states. The critical field H_cr and the amplitude ΔM of the jump observed in the direction parallel to the applied magnetic field are functions of the anisotropy constants of the crystal. A complete phenomenological analysis is given for the case of uniaxial anisotropy in terms of the first three anisotropy constants K₁, K₂ and K₃, as well as in terms of the anisotropy coefficients χ_2,0, χ_4,0, χ_6,0. Computer plots of the critical parameters and the magnetic phase diagram are given together with an analytical treatment of the problem. The results give a unified view of the FOMP in uniaxial crystals and provide a method for the accurate determination of the anisotropy constants at the temperatures where the phenomenon is present.     

Magnetic properties of Y-type trigonal ferrites first-order magnetization processes in trigonal systems

Magnetic properties of the single crystal ferrite Ba₂(Zn_1-xCo_x)₂Fe₁₂O₂₂ with O ? x ? 1, which has a trigonal symmetry around the c-axis, were investigated. The presence of Co ion strongly affects the properties of the Y-type ferrite: easy cone of magnetization, spin reorientation phase transition and first-order magnetization processes (FOMP) have been observed in this system. The observed effects as well as the origin of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy are discussed on the basis of a phenomenological analysis. The anisotropy constants K₁, K₂ and K_t trigonal of the ferrite are given versus temperature and composition. The magnetic phase diagram of a trigonal system is also presented. The condition for the existence of FOMP are obtained in term of the anisotropy constants ratios.     

Magnetic anisotropy and spin-reorientation transitions in RFe11Ti (R = Nd, Tb, Dy, Er) rare-earth intermetallics

RFe₁₁Ti rare-earth intermetallics (R = Nd, Tb, Dy, Er) which show temperature-induced spin-reorientation transitions (SRT) were investigated. The temperature dependences of the rare-earth anisotropy constants were calculated using the single-ion model. By fitting the experimental data a set of crystal-field and exchange-field parameters for R³⁺ ions wassb deduced. The temperature dependence of the first-order magnetization process fields was calculated for NdFe₁₁Ti and ErFe₁₁Ti within the model. The calculated spin-reorientation transition in NdFe₁₁Ti observed at T_s = 189 K is of first order with a discontinuous jump of the magnetization angle. Present calculations show that a first-order transition occurs in DyFe₁₁Ti at low temperatures. A second-order SRT from ‘easy axis’ to ‘easy cone’ exists in ErFe₁₁Ti. A first-order SRT ‘easy axis’-‘easy plane’ is predicted theoretically in TbFe₁₁Ti. The calculated curves of the temperature dependence of the anisotropy fields and the critical fields of the first-order magnetization processes for RFe₁₁Ti using the fitted crystal- and exchange-field parameters are in good agreement with the experimental data over a wide temperature range.     

Nitrogen-containing compounds <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>Fe<Subscript>11</Subscript>TiN<Subscript>x</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis> = Gd or Lu)

The structure and magnetic properties of RFe₁₁TiN compounds (R=Gd or Lu) containing nitrogen are investigated. Magnetic measurements are performed on a magnetometer in magnetic fields up to 100 kOe in the temperature range from 4.2 to 750 K with the use of RFe₁₁TiN single crystals, RFe₁₁TiN powders placed in a ceramic cell, and samples oriented in an external magnetic field. It is found that the nitridation leads to an increase in the Curie temperature and the saturation magnetization. The samples studied are uniaxial over the entire temperature range of magnetic ordering. The magnetic anisotropy decreases upon nitridation. It is demonstrated that, within the local anisotropy model, the decrease in the magnetic anisotropy constant K₁ can be explained by the redistribution of the electron density in the vicinity of the crystallographic positions occupied by iron atoms.     

Nature of unusual spontaneous and field-induced phase transitions in multiferroics RMn2O5

Complex magnetic, magnetoelectric and magnetoelastic studies of spontaneous and field-induced phase transitions in TmMn₂O₅ were carried out. In the vicinity of spontaneous phase transition temperatures (35 and 25 K) the magnetoelectric and magnetoelastic dependences demonstrated the jumps of polarization and magnetostriction induced by the field ∼150 kOe. These anomalies can be attributed to the influence of magnetic field on the conditions of incommensurate-commensurate phase transition at 35 K and the reverse one at 25 K. In b-axis dependences the magnetic field-induced spin-reorientation phase transition was also observed below 20 K. Finally the magnetoelectric anomaly associated with metamagnetic transition is observed below the temperature of rare-earth subsystem ordering at relatively small critical fields of 5 kOe. This variety of spontaneous and induced phase transitions in RMn₂O₅ stems from the interplay of three magnetic subsystems: Mn³⁺, Mn⁴⁺, R³⁺. The comparison with YMn₂O₅ highlights the role of rare earth in low-temperature region (metamagnetic and spin-reorientation phase transitions), while the phase transition at higher temperatures between incommensurate and commensurate phases should be ascribed to the different temperature dependences of Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions. The strong correlation of magnetoelastic and magnetoelectric properties observed in the whole class of RMn₂O₅ highlights their multiferroic nature.     

Effect of magnetic field on the TC and magnetic properties for the aligned MnBi compound

In the compound MnBi, a first-order transition from the paramagnetic to the ferromagnetic state can be triggered by an applied magnetic field and the Curie temperature increases nearly linearly with an increase in magnetic field by ∼2 K/T. Under a field of 10 T, T_C increases by 20 and 22 K during heating and cooling, respectively. Under certain conditions a reversible magnetic field or temperature induced transition between the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic states can occur. A magnetic and crystallographic H-T phase diagram for MnBi is given. Magnetic properties of MnBi compound aligned in a Bi matrix have been investigated. In the low temperature phase MnBi, a spin-reorientation takes place during which the magnetic moments rotate from being parallel to the c-axis towards the basal plane at ∼90 K. A measuring Dc magnetic field applied parallel to the c-axis of MnBi suppresses partly the spin-reorientation transition. Interestingly, the fabricated magnetic field increases the temperature of spin-reorientation transition T_s and the change in magnetization for MnBi. For the sample solidified under 0.5 T, the change in magnetization is ∼70% and T_s is ∼91 K.     

Crystal structure,magnetizations of sublattices,and the spin-reorientation transition in the Er<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>17</Subscript>N<Subscript>2.18</Subscript> compound

The structural and magnetic properties of the Er₂Fe₁₇N_2.18 compound have been studied for polycrystalline samples by neutron diffraction in the temperature range 4–700 K. The experimental temperature dependences of the magnetization of the erbium and iron atoms have been compared with those calculated within the molecular-field theory. With the use of the known model, the spin-reorientation transition has been interpreted and the numerical values of the first constants of the magnetic anisotropy for the Er and Fe atoms have been determined.     

Magnetic anisotropy of Tb1−xGdxMn6Sn6 compounds

Magnetization curves of Tb_1−xGd_xMn₆Sn₆ compounds (0?x?1) have been measured for aligned powder samples in the temperature range 4.2–300 K in pulsed magnetic fields up to 30 T. Temperature and concentration dependences of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants K₁ and K₂ and concentration dependence of the temperature of spontaneous spin-reorientation transition have been determined. Using these data, we estimated the contribution of the manganese and terbium atoms to the magnetic anisotropy of Tb_1−xGd_xMn₆Sn₆ and analyzed the origin of the appearance of field-induced first-order magnetic phase transition in these compounds.     

Structural, magnetic and electronic structure studies of Mn doped TiO2 thin films

We report structural, magnetic and electronic structure study of Mn doped TiO₂ thin films grown using pulsed laser deposition method. The films were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), dc magnetization, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy measurements. XRD results indicate that films exhibit single phase nature with rutile structure and exclude the secondary phase related to Mn metal cluster or any oxide phase of Mn. Magnetization studies reveal that both the films (3% and 5% Mn doped TiO₂) exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism and saturation magnetization increases with increase in concentration of Mn doping. The spectral features of XMCD at Mn L_3,2 edge show that Mn²⁺ ions contribute to the ferromagnetism. NEXAFS spectra measured at O K edge show a strong hybridization between Mn, Ti 3d and O 2p orbitals. NEXAFS spectra measured at Mn and Ti L_3,2 edge show that Mn exist in +2 valence state, whereas, Ti is in +4 state in Mn doped TiO₂ films.     

Structure and temperature dependence of the magnetization of the DyFe<Subscript>11</Subscript>Ti nanocrystalline compound

The coercive force, the temperature dependence of the magnetization, and the structure of a DyFeTi alloy based on the DyFe₁₁Ti compound with an excess content of α-Fe in the initial coarse-grained, nanocrystalline, and submicrocrystalline states are investigated experimentally. It is found that, in the submicrocrystalline sample, the coercive force is three times stronger and the temperature of the first spin-reorientation transition is 20 K higher than those in the coarse-grained sample. In the nanocrystalline sample, the coercive force is five times stronger than that in the coarse-grained sample, the first spin-reorientation transition is not revealed, and the transition at the Curie temperature is smeared. It is demonstrated that the changes observed in the magnetic properties are unrelated to the phase transformations but stem from the small size of crystal grains and high imperfection of the structure. The thermal instability of the DyFe₁₁Ti compound is observed in submicrocrystalline and nanocrystalline states.     

Magnetocaloric effect, magnetic domain structure and spin-reorientation transitions in HoCo5 single crystals

A study on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has been carried out on the HoCo₅ single crystal using a direct method in the temperature range 78-300 K and in a magnetic field of 1.3 T at various orientations of the single crystal with respect to the direction of external magnetic field. Our research has shown that magnetic anisotropy strongly affects magnitude and sign of the MCE in the regions of spin-reorientation phase transitions. In addition, the magnetic domain structure of the HoCo₅ single crystal in (0 0 1) plane in the temperature range from room temperature down to 4.2 K was investigated.