Anisotropic and mutable magnetization in Kondo lattice CeSb_2

We have systematically studied the behaviors of the resistivity and magnetization of CeSb_2 single crystals as a function of temperature and external field. Four anomalies in the resistivity/magnetization-versus-temperature curves are observed at low magnetic field. They are located at 15.5 K, 11.5 K, 9.5 K, and 6.5 K, corresponding to the paramagnetic–magnetically ordered state(MO), MO-antiferromagnetic(AFM), AFM–AFM, and AFM–ferromagnetic(FM) transitions, respectively.The anomaly at 9.5 K is only visible with H‖[010] by magnetic susceptibility measurements, indicating that the AFM–AFM transition only happens along [010] direction in ab-plane. The four magnetic transitions are strongly suppressed by high external field. Finally, the field-temperature phase diagrams of CeSb_2 with different orientations of the applied field in ab-plane are constructed and indicate the highly anisotropic nature of the magnetization of CeSb_2.     

Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O2212相超导单晶的定向生长

用定向凝固法已成功地生长出Bi-Sr-Ca-O2212相的超导大单晶,最大的单晶尺寸达到19×3×2mm³。定向生长的单晶(001)面平行于生长方向,[100]方向为单晶的定向生长方向。劳厄像表明大晶体确为单晶,其质量比其它方法生长的单晶要高。氧气中退火后的单晶电阻测量和交流磁化率测量表明,零电阻温度T_c(0)=81.5k。 关键词：     

Bulk properties of the UCoGe Kondo-like system

We report on extensive experimental investigations of a single crystal of the orthorhombic uranium compound UCoGe. Bulk measurements on as-grown and annealed single crystals, recording magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, magnetoresistivity, thermopower, thermal conductivity and heat capacity data do not reproduce the previously reported coexistence of ferromagnetism with superconductivity. The latter phenomenon was only observed for the annealed sample at T _SC = 0.65 K. New observations show a crossover at around 13 K, visible in thermal and transport measurements as well as the coherent state around 50 K, signaled by a wide knee in ρ(T). Above this temperature, UCoGe exhibits a single-ion Kondo-like effect. The magnetoresistivity of the annealed single crystal increases negatively down to 4.2 K, reaching as a large value about ?27% at a field of 8 T. The latter may be interpreted in terms of fairly strong magnetic fluctuations existing in UCoGe at low temperatures.     

Physical properties and crystal chemistry of Ce2Ga12Pt

Single crystals of the new ternary compound Ce(2)Ga(12)Pt were prepared by the self-flux technique. The crystal structure with the space group P4/nbm was established from single crystal x-ray diffraction data and presents a derivative of the LaGa(6)Ni(0.6) prototype. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show Curie-Weiss behaviour due to local Ce(3+) moments. At high temperatures, the magnetic anisotropy is dominated by the crystal-electric-field (CEF) effect with the easy axis along the crystallographic c direction. Ce(2)Ga(12)Pt undergoes two antiferromagnetic phase transitions at T(N,1) = 7.3 K and T(N,2) = 5.5 K and presents several metamagnetic transitions for the magnetic field along c. Specific-heat measurements prove the bulk nature of these magnetic transitions and reveal a doublet CEF ground state. The 4f contribution to the resistivity shows a broad maximum at T(max) ≈ 85 K due to Kondo scattering off the CEF ground state and excited levels.     

Magnetostriction relative to pretransition in Ni50.5Mn24.5Ga25 single crystal

The strain behaviors as well as the structural and magnetic changes relative to the pretransition in the Ni_50.5Mn_24.5Ga₂₅ single crystals have been characterized by various methods, such as pretransition strain, magnetostriction, magnetization measurements, and TEM observations. A large magnetostriction up to 505 ppm measured in the [001] direction of the sample is obtained at the pretransition temperature with only a low magnetic field of about 1 kOe applied along the [010] direction. We found that not only the pretransition strain pronounces a more large change, but also the magnetostriction at a certain temperature exhibits a more large magnitude for field applied along the [010] direction than with field along the [001] direction. It is concluded that the magnetoelastic interaction is responsible for the premartensitic transition, and the magnetoelastic interaction in the [010] direction is stronger than that in the [001] direction.     

Antiferromagnetic ordering in EuPtGe3

The magnetic properties of single crystalline EuPtGe(3), crystallizing in the non-centrosymmetric BaNiSn(3)-type crystal structure, have been studied by means of magnetization, electrical resistivity, heat capacity and (151)Eu M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The susceptibility and heat capacity data indicate a magnetic transition at T(N) = 11 K. The M?ssbauer data confirm this conclusion, but evidence a slight first-order character of the transition. Analysing the magnetization data using a mean field model with two antiferromagnetically coupled sublattices allows us to explain some aspects of the magnetic behaviour, and to derive the first- and second-neighbour exchange integrals in EuPtGe(3).     

Magnetic behavior of Eu(3)Ni(4)Ga(4): antiferromagnetic order and large magnetoresistance

The results of the magnetic susceptibility, isothermal magnetization, heat capacity, electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance measurements on polycrystalline Eu(3)Ni(4)Ga(4) are presented. Eu(3)Ni(4)Ga(4) forms in Na(3)Pt(4)Ge(4)-type cubic crystal structure (space group [Formula: see text]). The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of Eu(3)Ni(4)Ga(4) confirms the divalent state (Eu(2+)) of Eu ions with an effective magnetic moment μ(eff)?=?7.98?μ(B). At low fields, e.g.?at 0.01?T, a magnetic phase transition to an antiferromagnetically ordered state occurs at T(N)?=?10.9?K, which is further confirmed by the temperature dependence of the heat capacity and electrical resistivity. The field dependence of isothermal magnetization at 2?K reveals the presence of two field induced metamagnetic transitions at H(c1) and H(c2)?=?0.55 and 1.2?T, respectively and a polarized phase above H(PO)?=?1.7?T. The reduced jump in the heat capacity at the transition temperature, ΔC|(T(N))?=?13.48?J/mol-Eu?K would indicate an amplitude modulated (AM) antiferromagnetic structure. An interesting feature is that a large negative magnetoresistance, MR?=?[ρ(H)?-?ρ(0)]/ρ(0), is observed in the vicinity of magnetic transition even up to 2T(N). Similar large magnetoresistance has been observed in the paramagnetic state in some Gd and Eu based alloys and has been attributed to the magneto-polaronic effect.     

Magnetism in a UNi2/3Rh1/3Al single crystal

We report a magnetization, magnetostriction, electrical resistivity, specific heat and neutron scattering study of a UNi_2/3Rh_1/3Al single crystal, a solid solution of an antiferromagnet UNiAl and a ferromagnet URhAl. The huge uniaxial magnetic anisotropy confining the principal magnetic response to the c axis in the parent compounds persists also for the solid solution. The magnetization curve at 1.6 K has a pronounced S shape with an inflection at 12 T. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility exhibits a maximum around 10 K and is magnetic history dependent at lower temperatures where the resistivity increases linearly with decreasing temperature. The low-temperature ρ(T) anomaly is removed in a magnetic field applied along c, which yields a large negative magnetoresistance amounting to m46 zin 14T (at 2 K). The C/T values exhibit a minimum around 12 K and below 8 K they become nearly constant (about 250 mJ mol^?1 K^?2), which is strongly affected by magnetic fields. Neutron scattering data confirm a non-magnetic ground state of UNi_2/3Rh_1/3Al. The bulk properties at low temperatures are tentatively attributed to the freezing of U magnetic moments with antiferromagnetic correlations. The additional intensities detected on top of nuclear reflections in neutron diffraction in a magnetic field applied along c are found to be proportional to the field-induced magnetization, which reflects field-induced ferromagnetic coupling of U magnetic moments. This scenario is corroborated also by finding low-temperature magnetostriction data that also scale with the square of magnetization.     

Diagonal antiferromagnetic easy axis in lightly hole doped Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O6

Hole induced changes in the antiferromagnetic structure of a lightly Ca doped Gd:Y(1-x)CaxBa2Cu3O6 copper oxide single crystal with x approximately 0.008 is investigated by Gd3+ electron spin resonance. Holes do not localize to Ca2+ ions above 2.5 K since the charge distribution and spin susceptibility next to the Ca2+ are independent of temperature. Both hole doped and pristine crystals are magnetically twinned with an external magnetic field dependent antiferromagnetic domain structure. Unlike the undoped crystal, where the easy magnetic axis is along [100] at all temperatures, the easy direction in the hole doped crystal is along the [110] diagonal at low temperatures and changes gradually to the [100] direction between 10 and 100 K. The transition is tentatively attributed to a magnetic anisotropy introduced by hole ordering.     

Magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy in YCo4B compound

Easy and hard magnetization curves of YCo₄B compound have been measured in the temperature range from 1.5 to 300 K. It was found that the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy field decreases with decreasing temperature, and the magnetic anisotropy changes from the easy c-axis to the easy cone at approximately 150 K. The easy and hard magnetization curves did not cross up to 6 T. High field susceptibility of the compound for magnetic field parallel to the alignment direction seems different from that for a field perpendicular to the alignment direction. A jump was observed along the easy magnetization curve at 1.5 and 77 K. The critical field of the jump is about 1.5 T at 1.5 K and 1.2 T at 77 K. The jump was shown to be reversible at 1.5 K by down hill measurement.     

Physical properties and anisotropies of the RNiGe3 series (R = Y, Ce-Nd, Sm, Gd-Lu)

We have studied RNiGe₃ (R=Y, Ce-Nd, Sm, Gd-Lu) single crystals by measuring crystal structure and stoichiometry, magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance, and specific heat. Clear anisotropies as well as antiferromagnetic ordering in the RNiGe₃ series (R=Ce-Nd, Sm, Gd-Tm) have been observed above 1.8 K from the magnetic susceptibility. A metamagnetic transition in this family (except for R=Sm) was detected at 2 K for applied magnetic fields below 70 kOe. The electrical resistivity of this series follows metallic behavior in the high temperature region. Below the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature a significant anisotropy is exhibited in the resistivity and magnetoresistance for different current directions. The anisotropic magnetic, transport, and thermal properties of RNiGe₃ compounds are discussed in terms of Ni site occupancy as well as a combination of the effect of formation of a magnetic superzone gap and the crystalline electric field.     

Magnetic properties of DyFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The magnetic properties of an easy-axis trigonal DyFe₃(BO₃)₄ antiferromagnetic crystal have been theoretically studied. On this basis, recent experimental data [1] on the field and temperature dependences of magnetization and the temperature dependence of the initial magnetic susceptibility for three crystallographic directions in this antiferromagnet have been interpreted. The characteristics of the trigonal crystal field for the rare earth ion and the parameters of the Fe-Fe and Fe-Dy exchange interactions are determined. Limitations imposed by features of the magnetic characteristics (anisotropic magnetization in the three crystallographic directions, Schottky-type anomalies in the magnetic susceptibility, etc.) on the possible splitting of the ground-state multiplet in the crystal field and the splitting of the lowest doublet due to the f-d interaction for Dy³⁺ ions are established.     

First order magnetization process in Pr2Fe14B single crystal

High-field magnetization process in Pr₂Fe₁₄B single crystal has been studied in static magnetic fields up to 230 kOe. The spontaneous magnetization is along the [001] direction of the tetragonal structure down to 1.5 K. When the field is applied along the [100] and [110] directions at low temperatures, magnetization jumps are observed at about 130 kOe and 160 kOe, respectively, which are considered to correspond to the first order magnetization process (FOMP). Observed features of the magnetization curves including FOMP and their temperature dependence are well reproduced by the calculation based on a simplified Hamiltonian including the crystalline electric fields and the FePr     

High magnetic field properties of mixed terbium-yttrium ferrite garnets

Magnetization measurements in d.c. magnetic fields up to 180 kOe have been performed on polycrystalline specimens and on single crystals of mixed terbium-yttrium iron garnets: Tb _x Y_3–x Fe₅O₁₂ in the 4.2–300 K temperature range. On polycrystals (x=2.5; 2; 1; 0.37) the concentration dependence of both compensation point and spontaneous magnetization has been determined. In the single crystals (x=2; 1; 0.37) a strong magnetic anisotropy has been observed with a change of the easy direction of magnetization from [111] to [100] whenx decreases; abrupt field-induced transitions have been observed at low temperatures when the external field is applied along the [100] direction.     

Antiferromagnetic transition and electrical conductivity in α-Gd2S3

Magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity of α-Gd₂S₃ with an orthorhombic structure (space group: Pnma) have been measured for powder and single-crystal samples. While the magnetic susceptibility of powder sample exhibits a broad peak having a maximum at 4.2 K, the susceptibility for a single crystal with an applied magnetic field along the b-axis demonstrates a sharp drop below 10 K. Nevertheless, the susceptibility with the field perpendicular to the b-axis keeps increasing with decreasing temperature even below 10 K. The electrical resistivity ρ for the powder sample of 4.2×10³ Ω cm around room temperature increases with decreasing temperature and shows a slight discontinuity at about 65 K. In both regions above and below 65 K, is proportional to T^−1/4 with respective coefficients, which is associated with Mott variable-range hopping conductivity. The resistivity of a single crystal along the b-axis is considerably smaller than the value for the powder sample as 0.35 Ω cm at room temperature, and its temperature dependence is fairly weak. While cooling, the resistivity first decreases down to 240 K and then keeps the value independent of the temperature down to 140 K, and subsequently rises gently below 140 K.     

Nonmagnetic ground states and phase transitions in the caged compounds PrT2Zn20 (T = Ru, Rh and Ir)

We performed electrical resistivity ρ, magnetic susceptibility χ, specific heat C and electron diffraction measurements on single-crystalline samples of PrT2Zn20 (T = Ru, Rh and Ir). The three compounds show the Van Vleck paramagnetic behavior, indicating the nonmagnetic crystalline electric field (CEF) ground states. A Schottky-type peak appears at around 14 K, irrespective of the T element, which can be moderately reproduced by a doublet–triplet model. For T = Ru, a structural transition occurs at Ts = 138 K, below which no phase transition appears down to 0.04 K. On the other hand, for T = Ir, antiferroquadrupole (AFQ) ordering arising from the nonmagnetic Γ3 doublet takes place at TQ = 0.11 K. For T = Rh, despite a structural transition between 170 and 470 K, the CEF ground state is still the non-Kramers Γ3 doublet. However, no phase transition due to the Γ3 doublet was observed even down to 0.1 K.     

Effects of magnetic field on shape evolution of Fe–Co particles in a Cu matrix

The effects of magnetic field on the shape evolution of ferromagnetic fcc Fe–Co particles in Cu–0.83 at.% Fe–1.37 at.% Co alloy single crystals were examined using magnetic anisotropy measurements. The Cu–Fe–Co single crystals were aged at 993 K for 2 h to 24 h under a magnetic field of 10 T parallel to either the [001] or [011] direction. The magnetic anisotropy was examined by measuring magnetic torque around the (100) plane. It was found that the fcc Fe–Co particles are elongated in the direction parallel to the magnetic field. Furthermore, the elongation along [001] is more remarkable than that along [011]. The results are explained quantitatively by considering the minimization of the sum of the interface energy, elastic strain energy and magnetostatic energy of spheroidal particles.     

Magnetization reorientation in HoCo2

In order to confirm the magnetization reorientation in HoCo₂, torque measurements have been performed at various temperatures on a spherical single crystal, in the (001) and (011) planes. The easy magnetization direction is the [110] axis at 4.2 K and the [100] axis above 16 K. Furthermore, between 11 K and 16 K, the easy magnetization direction rotates progressively within the (001) plane. These results agree with the magnetization measurements and can be interpreted by a crystal field model.     

Magnetic properties of A DyNi2 single crystal

Magnetic measurements have been performed on a single crystal of DyNi₂ in applied fields up to 135 kOe. In the ferromagnetic range (T_c = 25 K), the easy magnetization direction is [100] and the hardest one is [111]. Crystal field parameters have been determined from the field and temperature dependence of the magnetization measured along the three principal axes. A two-dimensional model has been used to take into account the rotation of magnetization towards the field. The deduced parameters are W = -0.8 K and x = 0.49. The corresponding anisotropy is very large: especially even a field of 135 kOe applied along a difficult magnetization axis cannot rotate the magnetization along this direction.     

Magnetic and transport properties of Pr2Pd3Si5

We have investigated the magnetic and transport properties of a new ternary intermetallic compound Pr₂Pd₃Si₅ which forms in U₂Co₃Si₅-type orthorhombic structure (space group Ibam). At low field (0.01 T) magnetic susceptibility exhibits an abrupt increase below 7 K and peaks at 5 K, revealing a magnetic phase transition. The onset of magnetic order is also confirmed by well defined anomalies in the specific heat and electrical resistivity data. Apart from the sharp λ-type anomaly, magnetic part of specific heat also shows a broad Schottky-type hump due to crystal field effect. Magnetoresistance data as a function of temperature exhibits a pronounced peak in paramagnetic state which could be interpreted in terms of crystal field effect and short-range ferromagnetic correlations.