Elaboration,caracterisation et proprietes magnetiques de cristaux d'oxyde Sm2O3

Single crystals of samarium oxide Sm₂O₃ with monoclinic B structure were prepared by the Verneuil process adapted to a plasma torch. Some properties of these crystals have been studied (cleavage, hardness …) especially the magnetic properties. Paramagnetic susceptibilities measurements have been performed for various orientations of the crystal with respect to the magnetic field at constant temperatures (5, 77, 300 K) as well as at increasing temperatures (5–1000 K) and indicate an anisotropy. An interpretation of this phenomena is proposed.