Polarized neutron diffuse scattering experiments on disordered Cr-rich Cr-Fe alloys

The results of polarized neutron elastic diffuse scattering measurements on disordered Cr-Fe alloys with 1.5 2.4, and 12 and 14.2 at % of Fe are reported and discussed. The measurements have been done using neutron wavelength of 4.25 A in the scattering vector range 0.2Å^?1 < K < 2Å^?1 and in function of temperature. The data show clustering effects in the alloys with iron concentration starting from 2.4 at%. At the iron concentration of 14.2 at% the clusters contain about 110 atoms and extend up to about 6.3 Å from a central atom. Above a characteristic temperature the iron-rich clusters behave as superparamagnetic entities and below this temperature they are magnetically frozen.At 4.6K the average iron moment within these clusters is found to be 2.0(2)μ_B in the alloys with 12 and 14.2 at % of Fe.     

Crystallization and magnetic properties of melt-spun neodymium-iron alloys

The magnetic and crystallization properties of melt-spun Nd_1?xFe_x alloys are reported. By using high purity constituents and an extremely fine orifice (100–150 μm), amorphous alloys were prepared over the interval 0.4 ? x ? 0.8. Their magnetic properties, taken between 20–850 K in fields up to 95 kOe, are interpreted on the basis of a sperimagnetic structure; at high field the alloys from collinear ferromagnetic structures. Room temperature coercivities of the amorphous alloys are relatively low (1.5–2.0 kOe) but increase substantially at reduced temperatures; at 20 K, a maximum coercivity of 52 kOe was found for a Nd_0.4Fe_0.6 alloy. X-ray diffraction indicates that the melt-spun alloys crystallize by the precipitation of Nd metal and an unidentified Nd-Fe phase. Changes in magnetization and coercivity during crystallization are reported.     

Magnetic and electrical properties of the ZnGeAs<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Mn chalcopyrite

Doping of the ZnGeAs₂ semiconductor with manganese has produced compositions with spontaneous magnetization and high Curie temperatures of up to 367 K for the composition 3.5 wt% Mn. Their magnetic properties are characteristic of spin glasses at temperatures T < T _S and magnetic fields H < 11 kOe. In stronger fields, the spin glass state transforms into a phase with a spontaneous magnetization 4–5 times weaker than that to be expected under ferromagnetic ordering of all Mn ions. This is obviously a singly-connected ferromagnetic phase containing regions with frustrated bonds. The frustrated regions and the spin glass phase have inclusions of noninteracting ferromagnetic clusters, because these regions and the spin glass phase at low temperatures exhibit a strong increase in the magnetization M, with the dependence M(T) being described by the Langevin function. Measurements of the electrical resistivity ρ and the Hall effect have revealed that, for T < 30 K, the resistivity ρ of compositions with 1.5 and 3.5 wt % Mn is higher that at 30 K, which makes superexchange dominant and gives rise to the onset of the spin glass state. The nonuniform distribution of Mn ions in the spin glass phase accounts for the existence of isolated ferromagnetic clusters, their ferromagnetism being generated by carrier-mediated exchange. As the temperature increases still more, the increase in the mobility occurs faster than the decrease in the concentration, thus promoting an enhancement of the carrier-mediated exchange and growth of the ferromagnetic clusters in size, which at T = T _S come in contact. This signifies a transition from a multiply-to a singly-connected ferromagnetic phase, which contains microregions with frustrated bonds.     

Magnetic moment and high-field susceptibility of amorphous FeB Invar-type alloys

The saturation magnetization and high-field susceptibility of amorphous Fe_100?xB_x (11 ? x ? 22) alloys have been measured at 4.2 K, 77 K and room temperature in magnetic fields up to 100 kOe. The concentration dependence of the saturation moment per iron atom shows a maximum around 14% boron, while the high-field susceptibility increases remarkably with decreasing boron content. The features are similar to those of crystalline FeNi Invar alloys.     

Model of colossal magnetostriction in the martensite phase of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys

A model is proposed for describing the experimentally observed martensite and magnetic domain structures in Heusler ferromagnetic alloys Ni_2+x Mn_1?x Ga. On the basis of this model, the field dependences of magnetization and deformation of the alloys are calculated numerically and an expression for the maximum attainable strains induced by external magnetic fields in these alloys is derived. It is shown that for small values of the effective elastic modulus and demagnetizing factor of alloys, the strains induced by the magnetic field may attain maximum possible values of approximately 5%, which are determined by lattice distortions as a result of the martensite transition in fields of about 1 kOe.     

Ferrimagnetism and hyperfine interactions in RFe5Al7(R = rare earth)

Magnetization and Mössbauer (⁵⁷Fe, ¹⁵⁵Gd) studies of RFe₅Al₇(R = Y, Sm to Lu, ThMn₁₂ crystal structure) in magnetic fields up to 50 kOe and temperatures 4.1 to 500 K have been performed. The Mössbauer studies yield the distribution of the iron ions among the various inequivalent crystallographic and magnetic sites, the hyperfine fields and their temperature dependence. The magnetization curves display a great variety of unusual magnetic phenomena. Among those; strong anisotropy, magnetic and thermal hysteresis (H_c = 24 kOe for DyFe₅Al₇ at 4.1 K), negative magnetization at low temperatures when the sample is cooled in a magnetic field (even in 1 Oe), compensation points, maxima points and time-dependent magnetization. Most of the phenomena observed can be explained in terms of a spin structure previously suggested for the RFe₆Al₆ compounds, composed of 4 magnetic sublattices. The rare earth moments lie antiparallel to the iron moments in the (j) site and to the ferromagnetic component of a canted antiferromagnetic structure of iron in the (f) site. Iron in the (i) site is nonmagnetic.     

Specific features of magnetic and transport properties of La1−x Mn1+x O3 manganites

The magnetic and transport properties of La_1?x Mn_1+x O₃ manganites with excess manganese are studied. It is shown that magnetic and charge ordering heavily depends on the superstoichiometric manganese content, magnetic field, and pressure. The magnetoresistive effect (MRE) is enhanced as the manganese concentration increases. In addition to the paramagnet-ferromagnet transition, the temperature dependences of the magnetization exhibit anomalies at low temperatures in samples with x=0.1–0.4. The magnetization decreases at T<45 K in fields H<0.2 kOe and increases as H changes from 0.2 to 10 kOe. An analysis shows that the features observed at low temperatures are most probably related to the transition from the ferromagnetic state to the canted spin structure in clusters of mixed-valence manganese ions. The temperature dependences of the magnetization and resistivity remain unchanged as the pressure increases. It is demonstrated that the Curie and metal-dielectric transition temperatures shift to higher values as the manganese concentration increases under pressure. The temperature of the MRE peak increases under pressure, while the MRE decreases.     

Magnetic ordering of interstitial iron in Fe1+xSb alloys

Mössbauer and magnetization measurements have been used to observe the magnetic ordering of interstitial iron atoms in the Fe_1+xSb phase in seven Fe:FeSb alloys. Short range magnetic ordering of the interstitials occurs only at temperatures well below the FeSb lattice Néel temperature. Magnetization measurements show that the interstitials form magnetic clusters which freeze in typical mictomagnetic fashion around 30 K. Field cooled alloys show an irreversible magnetization better described as classical superparamagnetism. Variations in the cluster freezing temperature with applied field are observed.     

Magnetic studies on ternary silicide: NdCo9Si2

NdCo₉Si₂ has been synthesized and studied over the temperature range 4.2 to 500 K and at magnetic fields up to 90 kOe. The material is found to crystallize in the tetragonal BaCd₁₁-type structure, which has four formula units per unit cell. Magnetic studies indicate that NdCo₉Si₂ is ferromagnetic with T_c=454 K. The Co moment is determined to be 0.9μ_B at 4.2 K. Magnetization measurements on aligned powders indicate observable anisotropy but because of the anomalous nature of the magnetization versus field measurements, values of the anisotropy field (H_A) cannot be reliably determined. H_A at 295 K is roughly estimated to be 12 kOe. This material does not seem to offer promise for permanent magnet fabrication.     

Magnetic and electrical properties of amorphous PdCoP alloys

Magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements were performed (Pd_100?xCo_x)₈₀P₂₀ alloys where 15 < x < 50. The magnetic properties show that these alloys undergo a ferromagnetic transition between 272 and 399 K as the cobalt concentration increases from 15 to 50 atomic %. Below 20 atomic % Co the short-range exchange interactions which produce the ferromagnetism are unable to establish a long-range magnetic order and a peak in the magnetization shows up at the lowest temperature range under an applied field of 6.0 kOe. The electrical resistivity of these alloys has been measured from 4.2 K up to the vinicity of the melting point (900 K). The electrical resistivity data could be interpreted by the coexistence fo a Kondo-like minimum and ferromagnetism. The minimum becomes less important as the transition metal concentration increases. The coefficients of In T and T² become smaller and concentration dependent. The spin ordering in such alloys can be simulated as either the ordering due to an applied “external field” or as an increase in “internal fields”. These are due to an increase in transition metal concentration. The negative magnetoresistivity is a strong indication of the existence of localized moment.     

Magnetic hyperfine fields at Fe,Cd and Sn sites in an FeCo alloy

The magnetic hyperfine field at an Fe site in the ferromagnetic alloy Fe_0.475Co_0.525 was measured using the Mössbauer effect. The value obtained at room temperature was 343 kOe. The hyperfine field at a substituted Cd impurity was measured by the method of time differential perturbed angular correlations. A single frequency was observed at room temperature, corresponding to a field of -177 kOe. Using the Mössbauer effect, the Sn site hyperfine field was measured in a sample in which 0.3 atomic percent of ¹¹⁹Sn had been substituted. The room temperature spectrum consisted of the superposition of a single line, together with a six-line hyperfine spectrum, corresponding to a field of 231 kOe. A phenomenological interpretation is proposed for Fe, Cd and Sn fields in the binary alloys of iron.     

Magnetization process of Hf0.8Ta0.2Fe2 in strong pulsed magnetic fields

The magnetization process of an itinerant-electron magnet Hf_0.8Ta_0.2Fe₂ has been measured in pulsed magnetic fields up to 300 kOe at 4–330 K. The magnetic phase boundary in the high-field region has been determined and the temperature dependence of the high-field susceptibility in the ferromagnetic or saturated paramagnetic state is reported.     

Magnetic properties of electron-doped La0.23Ca0.77MnO3 nanoparticles

Magnetic properties of electron-doped La_0.23Ca_0.77MnO₃ manganite nanoparticles, with average size of 12 and 60?nm, prepared by the glycine?Cnitrate method, have been investigated in the temperature range 5?C300?K and magnetic fields up to 90?kOe. It is suggested that weak ferromagnetic moment results from ferromagnetic shells of the basically antiferromagnetic nanoparticles and from domains of frustrated disordered phase in the core. Assumption of two distinct sources of ferromagnetism is supported by the appearance of two independent ferromagnetic contributions in the fit of the T ^3/2 Bloch law to spontaneous magnetization. The ferromagnetic components, which are more pronounced in smaller particles, occupy only a small fraction of the nanoparticle volume and the antiferromagnetic ground state remains stable. It is found that the magnetic hysteresis loops following field cooled processes, display size-dependent horizontal and vertical shifts, namely, exhibiting exchange bias effect. Time-dependent magnetization dynamics demonstrating two relaxation rates were observed at constant magnetic fields upon cooling to T?<?100?K.     

Metamagnetic phase transitions induced by static and pulsed fields in (Sm0.5Gd0.5)0.55Sr0.45MnO3 ceramics

It has been found that the magnetic susceptibility of (Sm_0.5Gd_0.5)_0.55Sr_0.45MnO₃ ceramic samples in zero external magnetic field exhibits a sharp peak near the temperature of 48.5 K with a small temperature hysteresis that does not depend on the frequency of measurements and is characteristic of the phase transition to an antiferromagnetic state with a long-range charge orbital ordering, which is accompanied by an increase in the magnetic susceptibility with a decrease in the temperature. The magnetization isotherms in static and pulsed magnetic fields at temperatures below 60 K demonstrate the occurrence of an irreversible metamagnetic transition to a homogeneous ferromagnetic state with a critical transition field independent of the measurement temperature, which, apparently, is associated with the destruction of the insulating state with a long-range charge ordering. In the temperature range 60 K ?? T ?? 150 K, the ceramic samples undergo a magnetic-field-induced reversible phase transition to the ferromagnetic state, which is similar to the metamagnetic transition in the low-temperature phase and is caused by the destruction of local charge/orbital correlations. With an increase in the temperature, the critical transition fields increase almost linearly and the field hysteresis disappears. Near the critical fields of magnetic phase transitions, small ultra-narrow magnetization steps have been revealed in pulsed fields with a high rate of change in the magnetic field of ??400 kOe/??s.     

Magnetic properties of metastable Gd-Cr alloys

We report on the magnetization, magnetocaloric effect, magnetic ordering temperatures, saturation magnetic moments and anisotropy of sputter-deposited Gd_xCr_1−x alloys with Gd atomic concentrations, x, ranging from 0.13 to 0.52. The complex magnetic nature of the Gd-Cr films was revealed from the M×H isotherms, which do not show saturation even at an applied field of 70 kOe and a temperature of 2 K and do not exhibit a linear behavior at higher temperatures. For some of the samples, the isotherms were used to determine the isothermal entropy variation as a function of temperature, for a change of 50 kOe in the applied magnetic field. The saturation magnetic moment varies with x and follows the dilution law, implying that the Cr atoms do not contribute to the total moment of the Gd-Cr alloys. Both static magnetization and dynamic susceptibility measurements reveal the existence of a magnetic glassy behavior in the alloys, which occurs below a freezing temperature. The existence of anisotropy at low temperatures for all samples was revealed by their M×H hysteresis loops from which the in-plane coercive fields, H_c, were determined. A monotonical increase in H_c with increasing Gd concentration was observed.     

High-field magnetization of band ferromagnets Co<Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis>Al (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis> = Ti,V, Cr,Mn, Fe,Ni)

The temperature dependences of the magnetization of ferromagnetic Heusler alloys Co₂ YAl, where Y = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Ni have been studied at H = 50 kOe in the range 2 K < T < 1100 K. It is shown that the high-field (H ≥ 20 kOe) magnetization is described within the Stoner model.     

A Mössbauer effect study of the magnetic ordering in the Y6(FexMn1−x)23 solid solutions

The ternary alloys, Y₆ (Fe_xMn_1–2)₂₃, exhibit interesting magnetic behavior over a range of solid solutions of iron and manganese. The transition metal atoms occupy four crystallographically different sites. For x less than ca. 0.27, the transition metal atoms couple ferromagnetically, whereas for greater values of x they couple antiferromagnetically. By using the iron populations for each site, obtained from neutron diffraction studies, it is possible to determine the Mössbauer effect hyperfine parameter fields for each site. As x increases, the ordering temperature decreases dramatically. At 1.3K in Y₆Fe₂₃, the four hyperfine fields range from 372kOe to 250kOe, whereas in Y₆(Fe_0.52Mn_0.48)₂₃ they decrease to values between 100kOe and 10kOe. This decrease apparently results from the increasing frustration of the ferromagnetic iron-iron coupling as additional manganese, which would prefer antiferromagnetic coupling, is introduced into the alloys.     

Magnetic clusters in Fe3−x V x Al alloys with DO3 type structure forx≤1.1

Polycrystalline Fe_3?x V _x Al alloys with the DO₃ type structure were investigated by magnetostatic and Mössbauer methods. In alloys with 0.2<x<0.5 the ferro- and superpara-magnetic phases coexist. For alloys withx≥0.5 these investigations showed that in spite of the lack of magnetic order, they are characterized by strong nonlinear variations of the magnetization in a magnetic field over a wide temperature range. This indicates the presence of magnetic clusters of Fe atoms with very large magnetic moments. Analysis of the magnetization isotherms indicates that in these alloys a distribution of magnetic moments of clusters (μ_c) from 10 μ_B to 10⁴ μ_B exists.     

Existence of both spin-glass and mictomagnetic behaviour in the amorphous Fe10Ni70P14B6 alloy

Results of the accurate magnetization measurements performed on the amorphous Fe₁₀Ni₇₀P₁₄B₆ alloy in the temperature range 20–77 K in fields upto 1 kOe are reported. The complex magnetic behaviour exhibited by this alloy has been analyzed to show that a ferromagnetic ordering, occuring on a localized microscopic scale at a temperature T₀ very close to that given by the earlier Hall effect measurements, is accompanied by a superparamagnetic behaviour which below T₀ causes at first a spin-glass freezing of the magnetic spins when they interact with one another on a long range scale and then a mictomagnetic freezing of the giant superparamagnetic clusters at a lower temperature as a result of exchange interaction between their moments and the frozen spin-glass matrix. In addition, the present results, besides providing a clear physical insight into the widely different ordering temperatures obtained for this alloy from previous Mössbauer and resistivity measurements, on one hand and from our magnetization measurements on the other, strongly suggest a magnetic origin for the observed resistivity-minimum phenomenon. In conclusion, the present alloy represents a composition in the amorphous (Fe_xNi_1?x)₈₀P₁₄B₆ system well below the percolation limit.     

Magnetic properties of amorphous Ge–Fe thin films

Thin films of Ge_100−xFe_x (x in at%) alloys, fabricated by thermal co-evaporation, have an amorphous structure at compositions x<∼40, although an unidentified crystalline phase with an FCC symmetry also exists at low Fe content. Magnetization versus temperature curves show that saturation magnetization is non-zero (1 to 2.5 emu/cm³) and remains nearly unchanged up to the highest measured temperature of 350 K. Magnetic hysteresis loops at room temperature show a typical ferromagnetic shape, complete saturation occurring by 1–2 kOe. These results may indicate ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature. No definite tendency is observed in the compositional dependence of saturation magnetization.