Magnetization and specific heat studies of RNi4Ga (RSm,Gd and Tb)

In order to elucidate the anomalous magnetic properties in the ferromagnetically ordered state of SmNi₄Ga GdNi₄Ga and TbNi₄Ga, we have carried out a detailed study with magnetization and specific heat (SH) measurements. GdNi₄Ga shows the possibility of a filled 3d band and a helical spin arrangement below the ordering temperature. TbNi₄Ga shows a dominant crystal field effect resulting in a deviation of T_C from the de-Gennes scaling and possible Schottky anomalies in the SH. SmNi₄Ga shows a large coercivity at low temperatures. A rough estimate of the domain wall thickness in SmNi₄Ga gives a value of 8 Å.     

Pressure effect on curie temperature in (CoTm)90Zr10 (Tm = Cr,Mo) amorphous alloys

The forced volume magnetostriction in (CoTm)₉₀Zr₁₀ (Tm = Cr, Mo) amorphous alloys was measured by the 3-terminal capacitance method in the fields up to 18 kOe and in the temperature range of 77 K to the Curie temperature or crystallization temperature. From the temperature dependence of the forced volume magnetostriction, the pressure effects on magnetization and Curie temperature are estimated indirectly using the thermodynamical relation between the forced volume magnetostriction and the pressure effect on magnetization. The results obtained indirectly indicate that the pressure effect on Curie temperature approaches nearly zero in Co₉₀Zr₁₀ amorphous alloy, though it cannot be measured directly under pressure.     

Magnetic anomalies of thermal expansion in (rare-earth) Ni2 intermetallic compounds

The thermal expansion of eight RENi₂ intermetallic compounds (RE = La, Nd, Sm, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) and YNi₂ have been measured between 3.8 and approx. 300 K. The anomalies found at the paramagnetic-magnetically ordered phase transition have allowed an accurate determination of the Curie temperatures. From the low temperature comparison of the thermal expansion of the light RE compounds with that of LaNi₂, and of the heavy RE compounds with that of YNi₂, the Debye temperatures have been obtained. In the case of the compounds DyNi₂, TbNi₂ and HoNi₂ the contributions from crystal field and exchange interactions to the spontaneous volume strain at the magnetically ordered phase have been calculated, the agreement between experiment and calculation being good.     

Magnetoelastic and elastocaloric effects in rare-earth metals,their alloys and compounds in the region of magnetic phase transitions

This article discusses experimental data and their theoretical interpretation concerning the volume magnetostriction, spontaneous magnetostriction, variation of magnetization under the action of pressure, and elastocaloric effects in rare-earth metals, as well as their alloys and compounds. Particular attention is paid to the region of phase transitions. The volume magnetostriction ω of true magnetization was investigated near the Curie temperature Θ as a function of magnetization and determined from the change of magnetostriction under the action of pressure. From these data we obtained the dependence of the exchange integrals on the unit cell volume. Giant volume magnetostriction and magnetoelastic elastocaloric effects were discovered in the rare-earth metals and alloys in the region of their magnetic phase transitions. It was established that giant volume magnetostriction in RCo₂ compounds is caused by a critical increase of the magnetic moment of the 3d sublattice of cobalt in magnetic fields that exceeds the critical field at T > Θ. Giant volume magnetostriction in R₂Fe₁₇ compounds near the temperature Θ is shown to occur due to strong deformational dependences of exchange interaction and the value of the 3d electron bandwidth.     

Magnetic anisotropy and magnetostriction in a Lu2Fe17 intermetallic single crystal

The magnetic anisotropy and magnetostriction of a Lu₂Fe₁₇ single crystal are investigated. The temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy constant K ₁ is measured in the range 4.2–300 K. The results obtained are compared with the data calculated using the Callen theoretical formula. It is found that the temperature dependence of K ₁ for the Lu₂Fe₁₇ single crystal deviates from the temperature curve predicted by the localized single-ion model. The inference is drawn that a certain contribution to the magnetic anisotropy of the Lu₂Fe₁₇ compound is made by the magnetic anisotropy of band electrons. The longitudinal, transverse, and volume magnetostrictions of the Lu₂Fe₁₇ single crystal are studied, and the magnetostriction constants are calculated. It is demonstrated that the exchange integral of Lu₂Fe₁₇, as for the Y₂Fe₁₇ compound, substantially depends on the atomic volume. This dependence is responsible for the considerable difference between the Curie temperatures of the Lu₂Fe₁₇ and Y₂Fe₁₇ compounds. It is revealed that the magnetostriction of the Lu₂Fe₁₇ single crystal in the temperature range of the magnetic phase transition is determined by the two-ion exchange and single-ion contributions.     

A comparative study of the magnetoelastic properties of the YFe10V2 and NdFe10V2 compounds

The magnetoelastic properties of iron-rich REFe₁₀V₂ (RE=Nd, Y) compounds were studied via magnetostriction and thermal expansion measurements in the 5–300 K range of temperature in up to 6 T external fields. Results of thermal expansion analysis show that the spontaneous magnetostriction of the compounds mostly originates from itinerant magnetization. Besides, the small volume striction appearing in the thermal expansion of the Nd compound close to 50 K suggests the existence of a basal to conical spin re-orientation transition. The volume magnetostriction isotherms of both compounds take minimum values for external field corresponding to the anisotropy field. In addition, the anisotropic and the volume magnetostriction traces of the NdFe₁₀V₂ take marked maxima under low field, with a relatively large initial magnetostrictivity, again more pronounced at the conical–axial spin re-orientation transition (T_SR=130 K). Analysis of the anisotropic magnetostriction of the Nd compound leads to the conclusion that the contribution of Nd–Fe interactions is negligible. The temperature dependence of volume magnetostriction is in good agreement with prediction of a phenomenological model based upon a fluctuating local band theory. This analysis shows that the difference between the forced volume strictions of Y and Nd compounds below and above T_SR originates from the Nd sublattice magnetization.     

Magnetostrictions and Curie temperature measurements of (Fe–Co)91−xMo8Cu1Bx alloys with varying Co/Fe ratio

Amorphous rapidly quenched ribbons of (Fe–Co)₇₉Mo₈Cu₁B₁₂ and (Fe–Co)₇₆Mo₈Cu₁B₁₅ with the ratio of Co/Fe from 0 to 1 and 0 to 2, respectively, were prepared by planar flow casting. The dependence of Curie temperature T_C on Co/Fe ratio was determined from temperature dependencies of sample dilatation measured using a special dilatometer designed for these materials. Due to the presence of the invar effect, it was possible to measure the spontaneous volume magnetostriction in the temperature interval between 300 K and T_C, which is of the order of 10⁻³. Using special disc-shaped samples field dependencies of magnetostriction in parallel and perpendicular directions of the applied magnetic field were obtained by direct measurement. Subsequently, saturation magnetostriction and volume magnetostriction as well as forced magnetostriction were computed. Saturation magnetostriction λ_S increases with increasing Co/Fe ratio from 0 up to 15 and from 0 up to 17 ppm for both alloy systems, respectively, depending both on the Co/Fe ratio and on the shift of T_C with composition. After attaining the maximal value and further increase of the Co/Fe ratio the saturation magnetostriction decreases. Both alloy systems with ratio Co/Fe=0 exhibit T_C near room temperature and the system passes into paramagnetic state. T_C for higher Co/Fe ratios approaches the glass transition region. In paramagnetic state the field dependencies of magnetostriction are practically linear functions of applied field and approach saturation only for high-field values.     

The absence of valence fluctuations in SmNi2Sn2

In an earlier work [1] an anomaly in the lattice volume had been observed in SmNi₂Sn₂ which indicated possible valence fluctuations of Sm ions. Using a well characterised sample of SmNi₂Sn₂, we do not find any evidence of valence fluctuations from our susceptibility, resistivity, heat capacity and the lattice parameter data. SmNi₂Sn₂ orders magnetically below 8 K and all the Sm ions are trivalent.     

Magnetostriction of amorphous GdxAg1−x alloys

Magnetostriction measurements above 4.2 K and up to 2.2 T have been performed in the amorphous alloys Gd_xAg_1−x (0.30 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.40). Magnetostriction is purely of volume character. It shows with composition a maximum at x = 0.35, and this behaviour can be explained if forced volume magnetostriction derives form the strain dependence of the two-ion longitudinal spin correlation. The isotropic spin exchange correlation seems irrelevant in these series, as also put forward by thermal expansion measurements.     

Structure magnetique des composes intermetalliques terre rare-nickel de formule TNi3

We have studied by neutron diffraction the intermetallic compounds TNi₃ (T = Pr, Nd, Tb, Dy, Tm). ^At 4.2K the PrNi₃ and TmNi₃ compounds are ferromagnetic with easy magnetisation axis parallel to C. The structures of the NdNi₃, TbNi₃, DyNi₃ compounds are canted. The magnetic moments of the nickel atoms are almost zero.     

Magnetic exchange driven magnetoelastic properties in GdCu2

The magnetoelastic properties of GdCu₂ have been investigated by thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements. GdCu₂ orders antiferromagnetically with a noncollinear magnetic structure. The anisotropic magnetostriction is of similar magnitude as in other RCu₂ compounds and can be explained by a contribution of the bilinear exchange interaction to the magnetoelastic energy. For several compounds this contribution is as important as the single ion magnetoelastic exchange. The pressure dependence of the Néel temperature of GdCu₂ is found to be in agreement with the data of thermal expansion.     

The forced magnetostriction of nickel at 4.2 K

The forced volume magnetostriction of polycrystalline nickel at 4.2 K has been determined with a relative accuracy of 2 × 10^?2. Combining our result with previous data on the forced magnetostriction, we derive for the forced magnetostriction constants: h'₀ = (40 ± 1) × 10^?8T^?1, h'₁ = (-95 ± 2) × 10^?8T^?1, h'₂ = (-19 ± 2) × 10 ^?8T^?1.     

Volume magnetostruction in EuO and MnF2

Measurements of the volume magnetostriction in EuO and MnF₂ confirm predictions of a model based on the volume dependence of the dominant exchange constant. No adjustable parameters are used.     

Praseodymium valence state in PrFe10Mo2, PrNi5, and PrNi4M intermetallic compounds (M = Cu, Al, Ga)

X-ray L ₃ absorption spectra of Pr and the crystallochemical characteristics of the PrFe₁₀Mo₂ and PrNi₅ intermetallic compounds have been studied. It has been shown for the first time that atoms of Pr, similar to those of Ce, can reside in a mixed valence state. The valency of praseodymium is +3.08 ± 0.03 and +3.10 ± 0.03 in PrFe₁₀Mo₂ and PrNi₅, respectively. The mixed valence state of Pr disappears when one Ni atom in PrNi₅ is replaced by Al or Ga. The nature of the quadrivalent state of Pr in intermetallic compounds is discussed. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 47, No. 3, 2005, pp. 412–416. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2005 by Efremova, Shcherbakova, Kuchin, Finkel’shtein, Vilisov, Shkvarin.     

Magnetoelastic properties of GdMn6Sn6 intermetallic compound

We studied the thermal expansion and magnetostriction of polycrystalline samples of GdMn₆Sn₆ intermetallic compound with hexagonal HfGe₆Fe₆-type structure in the temperature range of 77-520 K. The thermal expansion measurement of the sample shows anomalous behavior around its T_C=434 K and T_M=309 K, possibly the point of collapse-like reduction of Mn moments. In addition, the isofield curves of anisotropic and volume magnetostriction reveal anomalies around paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic phase transition. The obtained experimental results are discussed in the framework of two-magnetic sublattices by bearing in mind the lattice parameter dependence of interlayer Mn-Mn exchange interaction in this layered compound. From the temperature dependence of magnetostriction values and considering the magnetostriction relation of a hexagonal structure, we attempt to determine the signs of some of the magnetostriction constants as well as a comparison of their orders of magnitude for this compound.     

Relation between giant volume magnetostriction and colossal magnetoresistance near the Curie temperature of Sm0.55Sr0.45MnO3

The magnetic, transport, and elastic properties of Sm_0.55Sr_0.45MnO₃ have been established to be interrelated. At the Curie point, one observes a large volume compression ΔV/V≈0.1%, a sharp minimum in the temperature dependence of negative volume magnetostriction ω(T), and a maximum in the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity. Giant negative volume magnetostriction ω=?5×10^?4 has been found in a magnetic field H=0.9 T, which is accompanied by a colossal negative magnetoresistance of 44% in the same field. The results obtained are discussed in terms of a model of electronic phase separation.     

Influence of low Co substitution on magnetoelastic properties of HoFe11Ti intermetallic compound

The thermal expansion and magnetostriction of HoFe_11−xCo_xTi (x=0, 0.3, 0.7 and 1) intermetallic compounds were measured, using the strain gauge method in the temperature range 77–590 K under applied magnetic fields up to 1.5 T. Results show that for samples with x=0 and 0.3, both linear thermal expansion and linear thermal expansion coefficient exhibit anomalies below the Curie temperature. Below room temperature, the spontaneous volume magnetostriction decreases with Co content. For all compounds studied, the anisotropic magnetostriction shows similar behaviour in the measured temperature range. The magnetostriction compensation occurs above room temperature in all samples. The volume magnetostriction shows a linear dependence on the applied field and by approaching the Curie temperature this trend changes to parastrictive behaviour. The results of the spontaneous magnetostriction are discussed based on the local magnetic moment model. The contribution of magnetostriction attributed to the magnetic sublattices R and T (Fe or Co) is discussed.     

Crystal field and magnetoelastic interactions in Tb2Ti2O7

In terms of a semiphenomenological exchange charge model, we have obtained estimates of parameters of the crystal field and parameters of the electron-deformation interaction in terbium titanate Tb₂Ti₂O₇ with a pyrochlore structure. The obtained set of parameters has been refined based on the analysis of spectra of neutron inelastic scattering and Raman light scattering, field dependences of the forced magnetostriction, and temperature dependences of elastic constants.     

Structural and magnetic properties of RET2Sn2 compounds (RE=La,Ce, Sm; T=Ni,Cu)

The following compounds have been synthesized: LaCu₂Sn₂, CeCu₂Sn₂, SmCu₂Sn₂ and SmNi₂Sn₂. By means of X-ray diffraction their structure was determined to be primitive tetragonal of CaBe₂Ge₂-type (space group P4/nmm) and the lattice parameters were obtained.¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer measurements were performed in a temperature range between 4.2 K and 300 K. The temperature dependence of the Lamb-Mössbauer factor reveals considerable softening of lattice vibration modes below 160 K. Only SmCu₂Sn₂ orders magnetically above 4.2 K.     

Study of the magnetostrictive strains in Pr6Fe11Ga3 alloy

Magnetoelastic properties of the Pr₆Fe₁₁Ga₃ alloy are studied by magnetostriction and thermal expansion measurements. The effects of short- and long-range magnetic ordering processes about Curie temperature clearly appear in the temperature dependence of the spontaneous magnetostriction as two increasing steps with decreasing temperatures. Thermal variations of the total magnetocrystalline anisotropy introduce pronounce changes in the isofield curves of the forced magnetostriction as a negative minimum below 200 K, a compensation phenomena about 250 K, and a positive maximum between 250 K and T_c=320 K. The observed behavior of magnetostriction is discussed in terms of the competitive anisotropies of Pr and Fe sublattices and coupling magnetostrictive constants.