Magnetism and structural phase transitions in LiTmF4 powders

The field (0–5.5 T) and temperature (2–300 K) dependences of the magnetization of LiTmF₄ powders with particle sizes of 1 μm and 56–400 μm are investigated experimentally and theoretically. It is concluded that a transition layer exists between the thulium ions in the bulk and the ions at the surface. Two magnetic-field-induced structural phase transitions are observed at low temperatures, and the temperature dependence of the critical magnetic fields is established. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 4, 247–250 (25 August 1997)