Crystal field effects on the magnetic and hyperfine properties of Yb3+ in ytterbium ethylsulfate

The magnetic and hyperfine properties of Yb³⁺ in Yb(C₂H₅SO₄)₃·.9H₂O have been studied using the crystal field (CF) obtained from an analysis of the observed absorption spectra of the crystal. The principal magnetic susceptibilities are in reasonable agreement with those observed both at liquid oxygen and liquid helium temperatures. The observed reversal of magnetic anisotropy at 17.7K is also corroborated. The Schottky heat capacity shows a peak at around 40K. The magnetic hyperfine field due to the 4f electrons at the nucleus is found to be 1.79MG. The hyperfine heat capacity C_N has a Schottky anomaly at about 25 mK. Above 1K, in the liquid helium range, C_N follows a simple T^?2 law as observed by Cooke et al. It is concluded that in the rare earth ethylsulfates a single suitable CF gives a good account of the various properties from room temperature down to liquid He temperatures.