Critical behaviour of a uniaxial ferromagnet,ErCl3·6H2O with predominant dipolar interactions

The parallel magnetic susceptibility χ of a uniaxial ferromagnet ErCl₃·6H₂O has been measured between 0.3 and 4.2K and specially near T_c = 0.353 K. The predominant contribution to the Curie-Weiss temperature is due to the dipolar interactions. χ is proportional to ?^?γ with $\text{? =}\text{T}\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{?1}$ in the range 10^?3 < ? < 5 × 10^?2. The γ value, γ = 1.01 ±0.03 is consistent with the theoretical prediction for a uniaxial dipolar ferromagnet.     

Further neighbour interactions in the quasi b.c.c. Heisenberg ferromagnets M2 Cu X4 · 2H2 O (M = NH4, K,Rb or Cs; X = Cl or Br)

The Curie-Weiss constant θ of the quasi b.c.c., $\text{S =}\text{1}\text{2}$, Heisenberg ferromagnets, (NH₄)₂ Cu Br₄ · 2H₂ O and Rb₂ Cu Br₄ · 2H₂ O, have been derived from measurements of the susceptibility in the paramagnetic region (4.2 < T < 100 K) and of the high-field magnetization curves at $\text{T = 4.2}\text{K}\text{(}\text{T}\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{? 2.3)}$. The $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{θ}$ values obtained point to the presence of further neighbour interactions considerably stronger than previously assumed. The effective number of equivalently interacting magnetic neighbours is estimated to be at least seventeen.     

Critical field and specific heat of the anisotropic superconductor Nb3S4

We report on the first measurements of the critical field B_c2 and the specific heat of Nb₃S₄, which is a linear structured compound with a superconducting transition temperature of 3.65 K. The angular dependence of B_c2 is well described by the effective-mass model. The ratio of the critical fields parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis gives a value of 4.6. The small value of the specific heat jump at $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{(}\text{Δc}\text{γT}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{= 0.95)}$ can be explained with an anisotropic gap function.     

Magnetostriction of antiferromagnetic FeGe2

The anisotropic magnetostriction of FeGe₂ is measured for magnetic field along the [1 0 0] and [1 1 0] axes at temperature 4.2 K and along [1 0 0] from 77 to 300 K. The behaviour is consistent with spin reorientation in the basal plane. The saturation magnetostriction and the characteristic field required to produce saturation decrease with increasing temperature and approach zero at the lower transition temperature, $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{K}}\text{? 265}$ K. This suggests that the spins flip from the basal plane into the direction of the tetragonal [0 0 1] axis at T_K.     

Neutron diffraction study of the crystal and magnetic structure of the ionic ferromagnet Cs2CrCl4

Neutron powder diffraction has been used to investigate the crystal and magnetic structure of the ionic ferromagnet Cs₂CrCl₄, T_c ～ 58K. Data taken at ambient temperature, 78 and 4.2K indicate the structure remains tetragonal $\text{I4}\text{mmm}$ at low temperatures. A ferromagnetic alignment of the spins is confirmed. The ordered moment at 4.2K is found to be 4.1 ± 0.2μ_B, and the best agreement between the calculated profile and the data suggests its direction lies at an angle of 56 ± 6° to the unique axis.     

Electrical resistance and magnetoresistance of amorphous alloys Gd67Co33 and Pd80Si20

In search for structural contributions to the low temperature anomaly we report high resolution resistance and magnetoresistance measurements ($\text{0.02}\text{K}\text{? T ? 20}\text{K}$) of amorphous splats of Gd₆₇Co₃₃ and Pd₈₀Si₂₀. For both alloys, the resistivity ?(H = 0, T) has a minimum at T ～ 10 K and increases with decreasing T. The ferromagnetic Gd₆₇Co₃₃ shows a strong negative field dependence of $\text{Δ?}\text{?(0)}$, saturating at H ～ 2T for T = 4.2 K but no measurable change in $\text{??}\text{?}\text{T}$ below 10 K is observed.The diamagnetic Pd₈₀Si₂₀ exhibits a positive field dependent magnetoresistance $\text{[Δ?}\text{?(0)]}\text{(}\text{H}\text{)}$ at low temperatures. Additionally, a field dependent part in $\text{??}\text{?}\text{T}$ is found which is probably due to paramagnetic impurities (～ 1 ppm Fe). However, there is also a field independent contribution in the amorphous state of Pd₈₀Si₂₀, which vanishes after crystallization. We attribute this to non-magnetic scattering induced by the disordered structure.     

Upper critical fields of Nb3Ge thin film superconductors

The upper critical field H_c2(T) of the highest T_c(～23K) Nb₃Ge superconducting films has been found to be ≈370kG at 4.2K. Measurements on lower T_c films show very broad transitions reflecting nonuniformity. The H_c2(T) characteristics are consistent with other Nb₃X type II superconductors.     

First-order phase transition to strongly anisotropic ferromagnetism in Tl2Fe6Te6

The magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, specific heat and electrical resistivity were measured on the new material Tl₂Fe₆Te₆. All the data show a very sharp anomaly revealing a phase transition to ferromagnetism at T_c≈220 K. The presence in the structure of one-dimensional metallic clusters $\text{¦Fe}{}_3\text{¦}{}^1{}_{\mathrm{\infty }}$ is evidenced by a very strong magnetic anisotropy in the ferromagnetic state, showing an interesting intermediate situation between a pure linear chain and 3-dimensional iron. Furthermore, the unusual sharpness of the transition leads us to anticipate a first-order phase transformation, but the lack of detectable thermal hysteresis was surprising. The molecular field model proposed by Bean and Rodbell in order to account for the similar behavior of MnAs gives a close representation of our magnetic data. Thus, a pronounced dependence of the exchange interaction upon interatomic spacing may well be the dominant mechanism leading to the observed phenomena.     

Superconducting properties of ZnCr and ZnMn alloys

Measurements on the superconducting critical temperature T_c and critical field, H_c, of $\text{Zn}$Cr and $\text{Zn}$Mn alloys, down to 0.037°K are presented.The variation of T_c with increasing concentration depends strongly on T_cp/θ, with θ a characteristic temperature, while effects of H_c are similar to previously studied alloys.     

Pressure induced phase transition in the highly anisotropic compound: Y2[Pt(CN)4]3·21H2O

For the linear chain system Y₂[Pt(CN)₄]₃·21H₂O a pressure induced phase transition is observed by emission spectroscopy. At p_trans=(5±0.5) kbar and T=295 K the compound undergoes a first order phase transition, in the course of which the intra-chain Pt-Pt distance R shrinks by $\text{ΔR≈}\text{-0.03}\text{A}\text{?}$. An approximate value had already been found at standard pressure for a temperature induced phase transition (T_trans=218 K).     

Magnetization process and principal magnetic susceptibilities in RbMnF3

The temperature dependence of χ_⊥, initialχ_p (powder), and evaluated χ_∥ for RbMnF₃ are reported for the temperature range of 4.2–106 K. A shallow minimum at $\text{T}\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{N}}\text{? 0.72}$ is observed in χ_⊥. The field dependence of the magnetization shows a smooth rotation of the spins to a normal direction above H_c ? 2.43 kOe at 4.2 K.     

Magnetic hyperfine interaction and curie temperatures of amorphous (FexNi1−x)80P14B6

Amorphous magnetic glasses (Fe_xNi_1?x)₈₀P₁₄B₆ (0.1 ? x ? 1) have been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. At 4.2 K, well-defined and very similar spectra have been observed for samples with different Fe concentration. This suggests that the Fe hyperfine field distribution is insensitive to the amount of dilutant. The value of the average hyperfine field at 4.2 K increases with Fe concentration. A value of 232 kOe is obtained by extrapolating to zero Fe concentration. The relationship $\text{H}{}_{\mathrm{eff}}\text{(O) = (232 + 33}\text{μ}\text{)}\text{kOe}$, similar to that of crystalline Fe-Ni alloys describes the results. The values of T_c = 60 K, 234 K and 425 K have been determined for samples with x = 0.125, 0.25 and 0.375 respectively. The T_C vs. x relation suggests a critical concentration of x_c ? 0.1, above which ferromagnetism exists. By fitting the measured values of T_C to the results of a coherent potential approximation, exchange interaction temperatures of J_FeFe = 617 K, J_FeNi = 800 K and J_NiNi ? 0 K have been obtained.     

Magnetic structures of PrCO2Si2 and TbCo2Si2 compounds

Neutron diffraction studies of polycrystalline PrCo₂Si₂ and TbCo₂Si₂ compounds were carried out at 4.2 and 293 K. Both samples have collinear antiferromagnetic order below T_N(31(1) and 46(1) K for Pr and Tb compound respectively), with their magnetic moments parallel to the c axis. The ordered magnetic moment values of Pr and Tb at 4.2 K (3.19 and 9.12 μ_B respectively), are close to the saturation value of the free ions. The corresponding magnetic space group P_l4/mnc (Sh⁴¹⁰₁₂₈) is body-anticentered ($\text{k =}\text{111}\text{222}$ refering to P_l cell).     

Modification of the magnetic structure of UAs — Appearance of an incommensurate phase below TN in UAs0.97Se0.03, studied by neutron diffraction from a single crystal

The magnetic structure of UAs_0.97Se_0.03 has been studied by neutron diffraction from a single crystal in zero applied magnetic field. It is found to be antiferromagnetic, of type-IA (++--) below T_o = 75.6 K and of type-I (+-+-) above T_o. The type-I persists till T_IC = 113.5 K, while above it and up to T_N = 122 K an incommensurate phase appears, thereby modifying the magnetic structure in pure UAs. The k-value of the wavevector $\text{K}$ (along cubic axes) is changing from 0.642 at T_N to 0.652 at T_IC. The transitions at T_o and T_IC are first-order while the transition at T_N is second-order. The ordered magnetic moment is 2.15 μ_B at T = 4.2 K, it varies smoothly to 1.95 μ_B at T = 75.4 K and drops drastically to 1.47 μ_B at T = 76 K.     

Magnetic structure of BaCaFe4O8-analysis of neutron diffraction measurements

The compound BaCaFe₄O₈ crystallizes in the trigonal space group P$\text{31}$m with one formula unit per unit cell with lattice constants $\text{a = 5.4059}\text{A}$ and $\text{c = 7.7023}\text{A}$ Neutron diffraction measurements carried out on a powder sample over the temperature range 300–900 K showed that the compound undergoes a magnetic transition to an antiferromagnetic state at a Néel temperature T_N = 680 ± 5 K. Analysis of the room temperature neutron diffraction pattern gave a magnetic unit cell that has the same periodicty as the crystallographic one. An antiferromagnetic model is proposed with the iron spin magnetic moments parallel to the c-axis of the unit cell. The magnetic moment of the Fe³⁺ ion was found to be (4.5 ± 0.1)μ_B     

Thermal and magnetic studies of the nearly one-dimensional antiferromagnetic system CsNiBr3

Magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and ¹³³Cs magnetic resonance measurements in a single crystal of CsNiBr₃ are reported. The data reveal two magnetic transitions separating the paramagnetic phase from the antiferromagnetic ground state. At the higher transition temperature T_N2 = (14.25 ± 0.05)K a net magnetic moment is observed only along the hexagonal c-axis, while only below the lower transition temperature T_N1 = (11.75 ± 0.05)K a perpendicular component of the magnetic moment appears also. Above T_N2 CsNiBr₃ can be described as a one-dimensional antiferromagnet with intrachain exchange interaction $\text{J}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{B}}\text{= ?(17.0 ± 0.2)}\text{K}$ and single-ion anisotropy constant $\text{D}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{B}}\text{? ?1.5}\text{K}$. Below T_N1, the data are consistent with the non-colinear triangular structure of the Ni²⁺ moments proposed previously for the isomorphic crystal CsNiCl₃. A reduced value of the zero-temperature susceptibility over the classical value is found and atrributed to the zero point deviations.     

Specific heat of (C6H11NH3) CuCl3 (CHAC), a system of ferromagnetic chains

The heat capacity of (C₆H₁₁NH₃) CuCl₃ (CHAC) has been measured for 0.45 < T < 60 K. Three-dimensional ordering is observed at T = 2.214 K. The data in the paramagnetic region can be described by a ferromagnetic $\text{S =}\text{1}\text{2}$ Heisenberg linear chain model system with J/k = +45 ± 5K.     

One-dimensional magnetism in N2H6FeF5,

A new Fe(III) fluoride N₂H₆FeF₅ has been investigated by magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mössbauer resonance. It has a one-dimensional magnetic behaviour. The intrachain exchange integral ($\text{J}\text{k}\text{= -10.2}\text{K}$) has been determined by fitting the χ^-1 = f(T) curve and the ratio between the inter- and intrachain exchange integrals evaluated with Oguchi's formula. Below T_N = 9 K, N₂H₆FeF₅ shows a long range three-dimensional anti-ferromagnetic ordering.     

Stoichiometry,electrical properties,and electronic structure of Cr1.70Nb2.30Se10

Both powder and single-crystal X-ray investigations show that Cr_{1 + x}Nb_3?xSe₁₀ which belongs to the FeNb₃Se structure type, exists only in a narrow range of stoichiometry close to x=0.70. In contrast to the Fe analog, Cr_1.70Nb_2.30Se₁₀ undergoes no disticnt metal-insulator transition; the resistivity and the thermoelectric power remain of the same order as the temperature is lowered from 300 K to 4.2 K. The thermoelectric powers S of Fe_{1 + x}Nb_3?xSe₁₀ (0.25<x<0.40) and FeVNb₂Se₁₀, however, follow such a temperature T dependence as $\text{S∝}\text{1}\text{T}$ even at room temperature. On the basis of light-binding band calculations, these observations are interpreted in terms of the contribution of Cr or Fe d-orbitals to electron conduction.     

A Mössbauer study of amorphous Fe40Ni40B20

Amorphous Fe₄₀Ni₄₀B₂₀ (VITROVAC 0040) alloy has been investigated using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy. The Curie temperature T_c is found to be well defined and is 695 ± 1 K. The quadrupole splitting just above T_c is 0.64 mm sec^?1. The crystallization temperature is 698 ± 2 K, close to but definitely above T_c. The average hyperfine field H_eff(T) of the glassy state shows a temperature dependence of $\text{H}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>eff</mtext>}}\text{(0)[1 ? B}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{(T/T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{? C}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{(T/T}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{? …]}$ indicative of the existence of spin wave excitations. The values of $\text{B}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ are found to be 0.40 and 0.06, respectively, for T/T_c ? 0.72. At temperatures close to T_c, H_eff(T) varies as (1 ? T/T_c)^β where β is one of the critical exponents and its value is found to be 0.29 ± 0.02.