Magnetic properties of RAu2Si2 rare earth compounds

The magnetic properties of the R Au₂Si₂ compounds with R = Ce-Er have been investigated. It was found that the compounds for which R = Ce, Sm, Gd, Tb and Dy are antiferromagnetically ordered at temperatures ranging from 5.7 to 15.9°K. PrAu₂Si₂ and NdAu₂Si₂ exhibit paramagnetic behavior for temperatures as low as 4.2°K. The magnetic structure is ferrimagnetic for the compounds in which R = Eu, Ho, and Er. The Eu compound is in the divalent state. The Néel and Curie points for this system do not follow the De-Gemnes function. Curie-Weiss Behavior is exhibited by all the compounds with effective moments in good agreement with that of a free tripositive lanthanide ion. The difference in magnetic properties between R Au₂Si₂ and the isomorphous R Fe₂Si₂ series is discussed.     

Magnetic and structural characteristics of the R3Ni7B2 compounds (R = rare earth)

Magnetic and structural behaviour and phase relationships of materials of composition R₃Ni₇B₂ (R = Nd-Lu) were investigated. Detailed X-ray analysis yields that two hexagonal structures are encountered. For the heavy rare earth (Gd-Lu) the compounds crystallize in the CeNi₃ structure. The space group is P6₃/mmc and each unit cell contains two formula units. The R₃Ni₇B₂ where R = Nd-Sm (including Yb₃Ni₇B₂) crystallize in the CeCo₄B structure. The space group is P6/mmm and each unit cell contains one formula unit. The detailed crystal structures are discussed. The magnetic measurements show that Yb₃Ni₇B₂ and Lu₃Ni₇B₂ are Pauli paramagnetic. Sm₃Ni₇B₂ is ferromagnetically ordered with a huge intrinsic magnetic hardness. The magnetization at the coercive field at low temperatures is extremely time dependent. The R₃Ni₇B₂ which crystallize in CeNi₃ structure are antiferromagnetic at low temperatures. All Mossbauer and magnetization experimental results can be explained assuming an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction in both 2(c) and 4(f) crystallographic sites and a ferromagnetic interaction between these sites.     

Magnetic properties of RCoSi2 compounds (R=rare earth)

New ternary silicides of composition RCoSi₂ (R=rare earth and Y) have been prepared and found to crystallize in the orthorhombic CeNiSi₂-type structure. Their magnetic properties have been studied by means of susceptibility measurements between 2 and 250 K. The Ce and Y compounds show essentially temperature independent Pauli paramagnetism. The compounds with R=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm show antiferromagnetic ordering below 20 K. The effective rare earh moments in the paramagnetic state agree well with the free ion values, and, for the heavy rare earths, the Néel temperatures vary with the De Gennes factor. There is no indication for a magnetic contribution from the Co sublattice.     

Magnetic properties of ternary RMn2Si2 and RMn2Ge2 compounds

Magnetic properties of RMn₂Si₂ and RMn₂Ge₂ compounds, where R is a rare earth metal, have been investigated by magnetometric measurements. RMn₂Ge₂ (where R is a light rare earth) and LaMn₂Si₂ are ferromagnets. Remaining compounds have antiferromagnetic properties. DyMn₂Si₂ and ErMn₂Si₂ show ferromagnetic properties at low temperatures. It was confirmed that the value of Curie (or Néel) temperature for the Mn sublattice decreases with increasing c constant.     

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.     

Magnetic properties of equiatomic rare earth cadmium compounds

The magnetization processes obtained in monocrystalline samples are presented for the ferromagnetic compounds of the equiatomic rare earth cadmium series. They are discussed in terms of crystalline electric field and bilinear and quadrupolar pair interactions. A close similarity appears with the isomorphous series with zinc. The importance of quadrupolar interactions is emphasized. They are, for instance, strong enough in DyCd to enforce the fourfold axis as easy magnetization direction instead of the threefold one which would be driven by the only crystalline electric field. A discussion of the magnetic properties of dysprosium compounds having the CsCl-type structure is then given.     

Magnetic ordering in rare earth iron silicides and germanides of the RFe2X2 type

Rare earth iron silicides and germanides of the RFe₂Si₂ or RFe₂Ge₂ type with R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy were measured for their magnetic susceptibility. The silicides and germanides of Nd and Gd are antiferromagnetically ordered below a Neel point of, respectively, 11 and 7°K for the silicides and 13 and 11 for the germanides. The Nd sublattice under-goes a spin-flop transition which at 4.2°K is at 11 KOe. Although the Fe sublattice is diamagnetic, all the samples showed a weak ferromagnetic ordering below a temperature of about 700°K. The ratio between the dia- and ferromagnetic phases is 94:6 per cent in the silicides and 80:20 in the germanides, as determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy and supported by magnetization measurements.     

Thermoluminescence of rare earth activated CdSO4, SrSO4 and BaSO4

The thermoluminescence (TL) of rare earth (RE) activated sulfates of Cd, Sr and Ba was studied above room temperature. Many of the phosphors prepared exhibit an extremely bright TL following X-irradiation (most notably with Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy and Tm dopants), having an efficiency comparable to that of the highest sensitivity phosphors available for TL dosimetry, and exhibiting activator-induced glow peaks between 405 and 480°K. In a given lattice, the RE³⁺ ions produce a characteristic glow peak at the same temperature (independent of the particular RE ion), whereas Eu²⁺ produces a single glow peak at a different temperature. A decrease in glow peak temperature with increasing interatomic spacing was observed in the homologous SrSO₄-BaSO₄ system - this shift being most pronounced in the Eu²⁺ -doped materials. TL emission spectra were obtained for trivalent Sm, Tb, Dy and Tm and for divalent Eu in these sulfates (and also in CaSO₄).     

Crystal field effects in RERh4B4 compounds (RE = rare earth)

By analysis of a large body of available data, crystal field parameters have been obtained for compounds in the series RERh₄B₄ (RE = rare-earth). These parameters have then been used to calculate properties related to the electronic and magnetic properties of such compounds, and it is shown that a substantial unification of current information is obtained for properties including bulk magnetization (polycrystalline and single crystal), magnetic susceptibility, magnetic anisotropy, Schottky anomalies in the specific heat and suppression of the superconducting transition temperature due to magnetic impurities. In agreement with previous discussions crystal field effects are found to clarify the systematics of magnetic transition temperature, but not to give a full explanation. Other phenomena, such as discrepancies in the magnetic moment of ErRh₄B₄ as measured by neutron diffraction and by Mo¨ssbauer spectroscopy cannot be explained as crystal field related phenomena.     

Magnetic properties of R4Co3 (R = Gd, Y) compounds as observed by NMR

The zero field spin echo nmr spectrum of Gd₄Co₃ taken at 4.2 K is analysed and discussed on the basis of having magnetic moments of Co atoms at different structural lattice sites. For Y₄Co₃ the spin echo nmr spectrum taken as a function of the external field is discussed and explained on the basis of the coexistence of Co atoms carrying localized magnetic moments and paramagnetic Co atoms in this compound at determined structural sites.     

Magnetic properties of rare earth compounds of the type RFe4Al8

The magnetic properties and the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effect have been studied for the tetragonal compounds RFe₄Al₈. At temperatures around 150 K the Fe moments order antiferromagnetically. This ordering is followed by a mutually ferromagnetic ordering of the R moments at much lower temperatures (T < 35 K).     

Magnetic properties for the Cu2MnSnSe4 and Cu2FeSnSe4 compounds

Magnetic susceptibility χ measurements in the range from 2 to 300 K were carried out on samples of the Cu₂FeSnSe₄ and Cu₂MnSnSe₄ compounds. It was found that Cu₂FeSnSe₄ was antiferromagnetic showing ideal Curie-Weiss behavior with a Néel temperature T_N of about 19 K and Curie-Weiss temperature θ=−200 K, while for Cu₂MnSnSe₄ the behavior was spin-glass with a freezing temperature T_f of about 22 K and Curie-Weiss temperature θ=−25 K. The spin-glass order parameter q(T), determined from the susceptibility data, was found to be in agreement with the prediction of conventional spin-glass theory.     

Paramagnetic properties of several rare earth compounds with K3Ln2(NO3)9 structure

We present measurements of the paramagnetic susceptibilities of K₃Pr₂(NO₃)₉ and K₃Sm₂(NO₃)₉, cubic materials with rare earth sites having threefold rotational symmetry about (111). The rare earth environment resembles that of the Ln₂Mg₃(NO₃)₁₂·24H₂O materials, and the magnetic susceptibilities show similarities but also interesting differences with Pr₂Mg₃(NO₃)₁₂·24H₂O and Sm₂Mg₃(NO₃)₁₂·24H₂O. Paramagnetic resonance experiments in K₃La₂(NO₃)₉ doped with these and several heavier lanthanides are also described and compared with theory.     

Dielectric properties of PbSrWO4 and PbBaWO4 compounds

PbSrWO₄ and PbBaWO₄ have been synthesised by the solid state reaction technique XRD patterns show them to be tetragonal. Dielectric constant (K^/) and Dielectric loss (K ^//) of PbSrWO₄ and PbBaWO₄ have been measured at 1 kHz in the temperature range of 300 to 1050 K. The log K^/ vs T as well as log K ^// vs T plot of PbSrWO₄ and PbBaWO₄ shows rapid increase of dielectric constant above 590 K and 640 K, respectively.     

Magnetic properties of R3Rh2 compounds with R=Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho and Er

Bulk magnetic measurements performed on polycrystalline samples of the tetragonal compounds R₃Rh₂ with R=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er are presented. All the compounds are ferromagnetic at low temperature. However in Tb₃Rh₂ an antiferromagnetic behaviour is observed between 14 and 24 K. In Gd₃Rh₂, where the magnetocrystalline anisotropy must be negligible, it seems that the magnetic structure is not collinear. In the other compounds the observed properties essentially result from indirect exchange interactions and crystal field effects acting on the rare earth ions which lie in low symmetry sites.     

Magnetic Structure of rare earth orthomanganites - 1. YMnO3

In an attempt to determine the magnetic structures of the heavy rare earth manganites of perovskite type, we have studied first the antiferromagnetic order of manganese in YMnO₃. The Néel temperature is about 42 K, the Mn³⁺ ordering is a helix and derives from an A mode. The propagation vector of the helical structure is along the b axis: k=[0 k_y 0] with k_y= 0.0786. The Mn³⁺ ions carry a magnetic moment of only 3.10 ± 0.1 μ_B at 4.2 K. We present a phase diagram of helical and collinear modes in terms of exchange integrals.     

Magnetic properties and structures of the rare earth compounds RNi1−xCux with the FeB-type structure

Replacing nickel atoms by cooper atoms in the ferromagnetic RNi compounds with the FeB-type structure introduces negative interactions opposed to the positive ones. The strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy leads to transverse wave magnetic structures which are observed with terbium, holmium and erbium. While this structure is stable only just below the Néel temperature for the erbium compounds, it remains stable until very low temperatures for the terbium and holmium ones. This behaviour, which depends on the rare earth being a Kramers or non Kramers ion, is interpreted by studying the effect of the low symmetry crystal field in these compounds. The stability of a transverse wave magnetic structure at 10 K is an example of magnetism induced by the exchange field.     

Dosimetric properties of rare earth doped LiCaBO3 thermoluminescence phosphors

Lithium Calcium borate (LiCaBO₃) polycrystalline thermoluminescence (TL) phosphor doped with rare earth (RE³⁺) elements has been synthesized by high temperature solid state diffusion reaction. The reaction has produced a very stable crystalline LiCaBO₃:RE³⁺ phosphors. Among these RE³⁺ doped phosphors thulium doped material showed maximum TL sensitivity with favorable glow curve shape. TL glow curve of gamma irradiated LiCaBO₃:Tm³⁺ samples had shown two major well-separated glow peaks at 230 and 430 °C. The glow peak at 430 °C is almost thrice the intensity of the glow peak at 230 °C. The TL sensitivity of the phosphor to gamma radiation was about eight times that of TLD-100 (LiF). Photoluminescence and TL emission spectra showed the characteristic Tm³⁺ peaks. TL response to gamma radiation dose was linear up to 10³ Gy. Post-irradiation TL fading on storage in room temperature and elevated temperatures was studied in LiCaBO₃:Tm³⁺ phosphor.     

Magnetic properties of the hexagonal NdNi5 and NdCu5 compounds

Magnetization and resistivity measurements performed on the hexagonal NdNi₅ and NdCu₅ compounds are presented. For NdNi₅, magnetization was measured on a single crystal along the three main axes of the orthohexagonal cell. This compound orders ferromagnetically at T_c = 7 K, a being the easy magnetization axis. Quantitative analysis of the experimental data led to the determination of the 4f-Nd and 3d-Ni contributions to the magnetization. In particular crystal field parameters were determined which account for inelastic neutron scattering data. Two original features of the compounds magnetic behaviour due to crystal field effects are noted: i) in the basal plane a large anisotropy of the magnetic moment which strongly increases with the magnetic field between 11 and 130 kOe; ii) a large decrease of the Nd moment during the rotation toward the c axis driven by the field. NdCu₅ orders also ferromagnetically at 15 K. The Nd moment lies perpendicular to c, and its reduction by the crystal field seems smaller than in NdNi₅.