Quantum theory of the magneto-optical effect and magnetization of Nd-substituted yttrium iron garnet

The magneto-optical and magnetic properties of Nd ³⁺ ions in Y ₃Fe ₅O ₁₂ garnet are analyzed by using quantum theory. In the spontaneous state, the magneto-optical effects originate mainly from the intra-ionic electric dipole transitions between the 4 f ³ and 4 f ²5d states split by the spin-orbit, crystal field, and superexchange interactions. For the excited configuration, the coupling scheme of Yanase is extended to the Nd ³⁺ ion. The magneto-optical resonance frequencies are mainly determined by the splitting of the 5d states induced by the crystal field. The theoretical results of both Nd magnetization and Faraday rotation are in good agreement with experiments. The observed Faraday rotation is proved to be of the paramagnetic type. Although the value of the magneto-optical resonance frequency derived from a macroscopic analysis is approximately confirmed by our theoretical study, a new assignment about the transitions associated with this resonance is unambiguously determined. The spin-orbit coupling of the ground configuration has a great influence on both the Faraday rotation and magnetization, but, unlike the theoretical results obtained in some metals and alloys, the relation between the Faraday rotation and the spin-orbit coupling strength is more complex than a linear one. The magnitude of the magneto-optical coefficient increases as the spin-orbit interaction strength of the ground configuration decreases when the strength is not very weak. Finally, the temperature dependence of the magneto-optical coefficient and the effect of the mixing of different ground-term multiplets induced by the crystal field are analyzed. Received 8 November 2000