Possible observation of the coexistence of superconductivity and long-range magnetic order in NdRh4B4

The ternary rare earth compound NdRh₄B₄ has been studied by means of critical field, low temperature heat capacity, and static magnetic susceptibility measurements. Features in the upper critical field and heat capacity data at 1.31 K and 0.89 K suggest the occurrence of long-range magnetic order in the superconducting state. The temperature dependence of the static magnetic susceptibility follows a Curie-Weiss law with an effective magnetic moment μ_eff = 3.58 ± 0.05 μ_B and a Curie-Weiss temperature θ_p = ?6.2 ± 1.0 K between 20 K and room temperature. However,, magnetization vs. applied magnetic field isotherms suggest the development of a ferromagnetic component in the Nd³⁺ magnetization at low temperatures.     

Investigation of magnetocaloric effect in La0.45Pr0.25Ca0.3MnO3 by magnetic,differential scanning calorimetry and thermal analysis

We investigated magnetocaloric effect in La_0.45Pr_0.25Ca_0.3MnO₃ by direct methods (changes in temperature and latent heat) and indirect method (magnetization isotherms). This compound undergoes a first-order paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition with T_C=200 K upon cooling. The paramagnetic phase becomes unstable and it transforms into a ferromagnetic phase under the application of magnetic field, which results in a field-induced metamagnetic transition (FIMMT). The FIMMT is accompanied by release of latent heat and temperature of the sample as evidenced from differential scanning calorimetry and thermal analysis experiments. A large magnetic entropy change of ΔS_m=−7.2 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ at T=212.5 K and refrigeration capacity of 228 J kg⁻¹ are found for a field change of ΔH=5 T. It is suggested that destruction of magnetic polarons and growth of ferromagnetic phase accompanied by a lattice volume change with increasing magnetic field is responsible for the large magnetocaloric effect in this compound.     

Field-induced structural transition and the related magnetic entropy change in Ni43Mn43Co3Sn11 alloy

Magnetic properties and magnetic entropy change ΔS were investigated in Heusler alloy Ni₄₃Mn₄₃Co₃Sn₁₁. With decreasing temperature this alloy undergoes a martensitic structural transition at T_M=188 K. The incorporation of Co atoms enhances ferromagnetic exchange for parent phases. Austenitic phase with cubic structure shows strong ferromagnetic behaviors with Curie temperature T_C^A at 346 K, while martensitic phase shows weak ferromagnetic properties. An external magnetic field can shift T_M to a lower temperature at a rate of 4.4 K/T, and a field-induced structural transition from martensitic to austenitic state takes place at temperatures near but below T_M. As a result, a great magnetic entropy change with positive sign appears. The size of ΔS reaches 33 J/kg K under 5 T magnetic field. More important is that the ΔS displays a table-like peak under 5 T, which is favorable for Ericsson-type refrigerators.     

Neutron diffraction determination of the magnetic structures of NpCo2Si2 and NpCu2Si2

A small polycrystalline ingot sample of NpCo₂Si₂ (weight ≈ 1.5 g) has been studied by neutron diffration between 2 and 160 K on the multi-detector D1B of ILL, Grenoble. At 100 K, the crystal structure is body-centered tetragonal (space group 14/mmm) with a = 3.886 Å and c =9.649 Å. Below T_N = (44 ± 2) K, seven superlattice lines are observed which correspond to a simple tetragonal lattice with lattice constants as above. They are consistent with a type I antiferromagnetic structure of the Np (2a) sublattice, with (001) ferromagnetic sheets coupled antiferromagnetically according to the sequence +-+-. At 6 K, the neptunium moment obtained from the diffracted intensities is: (1.48 ± 0.20)_μuB, and makes an angle 52° ± 15° with the c axis. The cobalt moment is certainly smallet than 0.3_μuB. The Np moment correlates well with the ²³⁷Np hyperfine field deduced from Mos?sbauer spectroscopy; the sublattice magnetization-temoperature curve follows very well the $\text{J=}\text{1}\text{2}$ brillouin curve. The magnetism is therefore probably of lovalized character in this compound. An isomorphous sample of NpCu₂Si₂ (a = 3.990 Å c = 9.920 Å) was shown to be ferromagnetic below (41 ± 2) K, with the Np moment [1.5 ± 0.2)_μuB] aligned along the c axis.     

Low field magnetoresistance and conduction noise in layered manganite La1.4Ca1.6Mn2O7

Temperature dependence of conduction noise and low field magnetoresistance of layered manganite La_1.4Ca_1.6Mn₂O₇ (DLCMO) are reported and compared with the infinite layered manganite La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ (LCMO). The double layered manganite was prepared using standard solid state reaction method and had a metal-insulator transition temperature (T_M-I) of 155 K. The temperature dependence of susceptibility showed evolution of ferromagnetic ordering at 168 K. The observed voltage noise spectral density (S_V) shows 1/f^α type of behaviour at all temperatures from 77 K to 300 K. In the ferromagnetic region (T<168 K), S_V/V² shows two peaks at 164 K and 114 K. The observed two peaks in normalised conduction noise of DLCMO is attributed to the excess noise generated due to setting up of short range 2D-ferromagnetic ordering and long range 3D-ferromagnetic ordering at two different temperatures T_C2 and T_C1. In temperature range between T_C1 and T_C2, the magnetoresistance (MR) showed a gradual increase with the magnetic field. The observed MR has been explained in the framework of the two phase model [ferromagnetic (FM) domains and paramagnetic (PM) regions].     

Magnetization behaviour of DyAl2 single crystals

We report the theoretical interpretation of the magnetization and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of ferromagnetic DyAl₂ single crystals between 4.2 and 60 K and magnetic fields up to 15 T. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained by using three temperature independent parameters: the two crystal field parameters B₄ = (?0.50 ± 0.05) × 10^?4 meV, B₆ = ? (0.51 ± 0.05) × 10^?6 meV and the Curie temperature T_c = (62 ± 2) K.     

EPR study of the diluted magnetic semiconductor CuGa1−xMnxTe2

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments were made in the diluted magnetic semiconductor CuGa_1−xMn_xTe₂, in the temperature range 70<T<300 K. The samples were synthesized by direct fusion of stoichiometric mixtures of the elements, with Mn composition from x=0.0 to 0.25. The EPR spectra were measured as function of temperature, Mn composition, and field orientation. The temperature variation of the resonance field shows a critical point at about 235 K, and is associated with a transition from the ferromagnetic to the superparamagnetic state. The resonance field was also measured as a function of the field angle, and displays a well-defined uniaxial symmetry. This uniaxial field depends on the Mn concentration and is due to tetragonal distortions induced by Mn²⁺ at Ga sites, and the demagnetizing effects due to formation of ferromagnetism (FM) Mn-clusters.     

Magnetic and structural studies of the alloy system REIn0.5Ag0.5

The structural and magnetic properties of the alloy system REIn_0.5Ag_0.5 [RE = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb] are reported. All these alloys (except that of Yb) crystallize in a cubic CsCl type structure at room temperature. Low temperature X-ray diffraction data does not reveal any structural phase transformation down to 8 K. On the basis of magnetic susceptibility data at a different temperature (3–300 K) and applied magnetic field (2 × 10⁵ to 8 × 10⁶ A m^-1, it has been concluded that GdIn_0.5Ag_0.5 is ferromagnetic (T_c = 118 K), TbIn_0.5Ag_0.5 and DyIn_0.5Ag_0.5 are meta magnetic (T_N = 66 and 30 K, respectively) and alloys involving Ho, Er, Tm and Yb are ferrimagnetic with Néel temperatures (T_N) equal to 24, 22, 21 and 20 K, respectively. The evaluated effective magneton number (p) is found to be slightly larger compared to theoretical values for tripositive ions of Gd, Tb and Dy and a bit smaller for Ho, Er, Tm and Yb. The results have been qualitatively explained using appropriate theories.     

Magnetic properties and charge ordering in Pr0.75Na0.25MnO3 manganite

The structural and magnetic properties of Pr_0.75Na_0.25MnO₃ have been investigated experimentally. At room temperature, the compound shows paramagnetic characteristic. Along with decreasing temperature, a peak appears in the magnetization versus temperature curve around 220 K. To clarify whether this peak is associated with the ordering arrangement of Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions, electron diffraction experiments were carried out below and above 220 K respectively. Only basic Brag diffraction spots can be observed at high temperatures, however, superlattice diffraction appears below 220 K. This provides direct evidence for the existence of charge ordering in Pr_0.75Na_0.25MnO₃. We find the Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ cations form zigzag chains in a-c plane by analyzing the diffraction patterns. Combining with the magnetization measurements and the results of electron spin resonance, we confirm the antiferromagnetic phase and ferromagnetic component coexist in Pr_0.75Na_0.25MnO₃ below 120 K.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance in ferromagnetic HCP and FCC 59cobalt

The ⁵⁹Co nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of powdered metal have been investigated in the temperature range from 3 K – 295 K. Both HCP resonance lines, coming from nuclei at the center and the edge of the domain walls (v₁ = 221 MHzv₂ = 214 MHz at 295 K, respectively) have been observed as in bulk material. The quadrupole splitting, directly measured only by Kawakami et al., was verified. The line spacing v_q = 3e²Qq/2I(2I - 1)h is v_q = (178 ± 5) kHz at 295 K. A new line with v = 221.7 MHz at 295 K was found, which is probably due to a stacking fault.The temperature behaviour of the FCC-linewidth is anomalous. Between 3 and 10 K a line splitting due to frequency pulling, already predicted by De Gennes et al. in 1962, was discovered. The frequency shift derived from the splitting of the FCC line at 3 K is δω₀ ≈ 2.51 MHz. The corresponding anisotropy field and zero field ferromagnetic resonance frequency of FCC cobalt are H_A ≈ 1.25 × 10² Oe and ω_e ≈ 2.27 × 10⁹ Hz, respectively.     

The magnetization of GdAl2

The magnetization of a single crystal of GdAl₂ has been measured parallel to the easy direction as a function of field (maximum field 1.7 T) within the temperature range 4.2–300 K. The main emphasis was placed on the results obtained for the ferromagnetic phase. From an analysis based on molecular field theory it is deduced that the magnetic moment at 0 K is 7.2 μ_B per Gd ion and that the molecular field cannot be represented by a simpler polynomial than λ₁M + λ₂M³ + λ₃M⁵. The same data is analysed using spin-wave theory from which it is deduced that the spin-wave stiffness is 18 meV Ų and that the conduction band susceptibility is approximately 2.6 x 10^-6 emu g^-1. The conduction electron polarization, parallel to the Gd ion moment, amounting to 0.2 μ_B per Gd ion implies the presence of an internal field acting on the conduction electrons of approximately 200 T at 0 K.     

Magnetic and electrical properties of BaVS3 and BaVxTi1−xS3

BaVS₃ has an hexagonal structure (space group P6₃/mmc), with chains of V⁴⁺ running along the C direction and largely separated from each other. Small single crystals of BaVS₃ prepared by flux method in BaCl₂ show evidence of 1D antiferromagnetic ordering below 70 K as previously observed on powder samples. The sulphur deficient compound gives ferromagnetic ordering below 16 K with an easy axis of magnetization along the C direction. BaV_xTi_(1?x)S₃ powder samples with 0 <x <1 of the same crystal symmetry as BaVS₃ have also been prepared and the effects of changing the population of d electrons along the V-Ti chains, from 0 electron per site, (BaTiS₃) to 1 electron per site, (BaVS₃) have been studied by X-ray, magnetic and resistivity measurements. A band model is suggested to explain these data.     

Effect of magnetic field on Nd0.7Pb0.3MnO3 single crystal

Magnetization and specific heat of Nd_0.7Pb_0.3MnO₃ single crystal are studied at applied magnetic field. Magnetization measurement at 0.3 T shows ferromagnetic phase below 150 K (T_C) and below 20 K displays an antiferromagnetic component. The latter appears to be destroyed at 4.8 T. This anomalous increase below 50 K is probably due to reorientation of Nd moments at high magnetic field. Heat capacity has been measured at 0-10 T at low temperature. The data have been fitted to contributions from free electrons (γ), ferromagnetic spin excitations (β_3/2), lattice and a Schottky-like anomaly related to the rare-earth magnetism of the Nd ions. Fitting yields that β_3/2 term is very small at 6 and 10 T because of introducing paramagnetic component in ferromagnetic phase at applied magnetic field. Peak due to Schottky anomaly is observed to be broadened with application of magnetic field and the magnitude of Schottky gap(Δ_Sch) also increases accordingly.     

Evidence of glassy ferromagnetic phase and kinetic arrest of electronic phase in Sm0.35Pr0.15Sr0.5MnO3 manganites

The effect of doping of rare earth Pr³⁺ ion as a replacement of Sm³⁺ in Sm_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ is investigated. Temperature dependent dc and ac magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, magnetoresistance measurements on chemically synthesized (Sm_0.5−xPr_x)Sr_0.5MnO₃ show various unusual features with doping level x=0.15. The frequency independent ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition at higher temperature (∼191 K) followed by a frequency dependent reentrant magnetic transition at lower temperature (∼31 K) has been observed. The nature of this frequency dependent reentrant magnetic transition is described by a critical slowing down model of spin glasses. From non-linear ac susceptibility measurements it has been confirmed that the finite size ferromagnetic clusters are formed as a consequence of intrinsic phase separation, and undergo spin glass-like freezing below a certain temperature. There is an unusual observation of a 2nd harmonic peak in the non-linear ac susceptibility around this reentrant magnetic transition at low temperature (∼31 K). Arrott plots at 10 and 30 K confirm the existence of glassy ferromagnetism below this low temperature reentrant transition. Electronic- and magneto-transport measurements show a strong magnetic field—temperature history dependence and strong irreversibility with respect to the sweeping of magnetic field. These results are attributed to the effect of phase separation and kinetic arrest of the electronic phase in this phase separated manganite at low temperatures.     

The NMR study of the mixed compound (CH3NH3)2Cu(Cl0.1Br0.9)4

The mixed compound (CH₃NH₃)₂Cu(Cl_0.1Br_0.9)₄ which has random bonds of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions has been investigated by the pulsed NMR of ¹H, ^63,65Cu and ^79,81Br. The temperature dependence of the line width of ¹H showed the existence of the magnetic phase transition at 15 K in the applied field of 4 kOe. The moments of Cu²⁺ have been shown to lie within the c-plane and have some randomness from the field dependence of the NMR spectrum and the spin-echo decay time of the copper and the bromine nuclei.     

Investigation of TmFe4Al8 and DyFe4Al8 by means of 169Tm and 161Dy Mössbauer spectroscopy

We have performed ¹⁶⁹Tm and ¹⁶¹Dy Mössbauer spectroscopy on TmFe₄Al₈ and DyFe₄Al₈. From the temperature dependence of the electric quadrupole splitting of the ¹⁶⁹Tm spectra of TmFe₄Al₈ we have determined the second order crystal field potential V⁰₂ = (100 ± 10) K and the exchange field term g_Jμ_BH_M = (1 ± 1) K. The temperature dependence of the hyperfine field of the ¹⁶¹Dy spectrum of DyFe₄Al₈ gives g_Jμ_BH_M = (15 ± 3) K. With these exchange fields magnetic transition temperatures of the rare earth sublattices were found, which are consistent with experiment. The relaxation behaviour of the Tm sublattice below T_N = 187 K is discussed.     

On the renormalized coupling constant and the susceptibility in φ44 field theory and the Ising model in four dimensions

We discuss the euclidean φ₄⁴ field theory, and the critical behavior in ferromagnetic systems in four dimensions. It is rigorously shown that there are at most logarithmic corrections to the mean field law in the behavior of the magnetic susceptibility _X = ΣS₂(0, x). Furthermore, if any such corrections are present in a continuum limit which is used to construct a φ₄⁴ field theory, the limiting theory would be non-interacting. Our analysis extends to ferromagnetic systems of variables which belong to the Griffiths-Simon class.     

Magnetic order and hyperfine interactions in RFe6Al6 (R = rare earth)

The systems RFe₆Al₆(R = Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb) crystallize in the tetragonal body centered I4/mmm structure. In striking contrast to the magnetic behaviour of RFe₄Al₈ (weakly coupled R and Fe sublattices, complicated magnetic structure, low T_c ~ 130 K), in the RFe₆Al₆ systems all magnetic sublattices order simultaneously at a relatively high temperature. The magnetization curves start with low values at low temperatures and rise to very high values at T_max ~ 230 K and then drop to 0 at T_c ~ 330 K. All samples show strong hysteresis effects at temperatures just below T_max. Mossbauer studies of ⁵⁷Fe in the (f) and (j) sites and ¹⁵¹Eu, ¹⁵⁵Gd, ¹⁶¹Dy, ¹⁶⁶Er and ¹⁷⁰Yb in the (a) site yield all hyperfine interaction parameters and temperature dependence of the local magnetic moments. All Mossbauer and magnetization experimental results can be explained in a self consistent way with a simple molecular field model. The Fe in the (j) site plays the dominant role in its strong intrasublattice ferromagnetic exchange and its strong antiferromagnetic exchange with the rare earth site. The Fe in the (f) site have an antiferromagnetic intrasublattice exchange, they have a canted strcuture with the ferromagnetic component parallel to the (j) sublattice magnetization.     

Linear-chain ferromagnetism in the one-dimensional compounds CoCl2(pyrazole)2 and CoCl2(indazole)2

Two linear-chain compounds of formula CoCl₂L₂, with L = pyrazole (pz) and indazole (indz), have been investigated with the aid of IR, far-IR, ligand field and ESR spectra. Magnetic susceptibility data have been collected in the temperature region 4.2–80 K. Analysis of the susceptibility data in terms of the Ising model yielded the values of the ferromagnetic intrachain exchange constants J = 7.2(6) and 7.4(9) cm^-1 for the pz and indz compound, with corresponding g-values of g∥ = 7.9(7), g⊥ = 4.6(9) and g∥ = 10.8(9), g⊥ = 3(1), respectively. The results are discussed and compared with the similar compound CoCl₂(pyridine)₂. The influence of the bridge geometry and of the π-bonding properties of the organic ligands on the exchange constant are considered for the explanation of different J-values. It is suggested that the π-bonding properties of the organic ligand influence the magnitude of the superexchange constant to a great extent.     

Magnetic properties of the intermetallic compound Ce5Ge4

Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the compound Ce₅Ge₄ have been studied. This compound has orthorhombic Sm₅Ge₄-type structure (space group Pnma, no. 62) and orders ferromagnetically at ~12 K (T_C). The paramagnetic Curie temperature is ~−20 K suggesting the presence of competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in this compound. The magnetization does not seem to saturate even in fields of 90 kOe at 3 K consistent with the presence of competing interactions. Saturation magnetization value (extrapolated to 1/H→0) of only 0.8μ_B/Ce³⁺ is obtained compared to the free ion value of 2.14μ_B/Ce³⁺. This moment reduction in the ordered state of Ce₅Ge₄ could be due to partial antiferromagnetic/paramagnetic ordering of the Ce moments and may also be due to crystalline electric field effects. Magnetic entropy change near T_C, calculated from the magnetization vs. field data, is found to be moderate with a maximum value of ~9 J/kg/K at ~11 K for a field change of 90 kOe.