Magneto-optic properties of uranium-based compounds

Journal Article · Mon Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.348314· OSTI ID:5693003

Kirby, R D; Shen, J X; Woollam, J A; Sellmyer, D J ^[1]

---

1. Behlen Laboratory of Physics and Center for Materials Research and Analysis, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0111 (USA)

Uranium-based compounds often show interesting magnetic properties and large polar Kerr rotations. Because of this, the wavelength and temperature dependencies of the polar Kerr rotation in several uranium-based compounds, including UMn{sub 2}Ge{sub 2}, UFe{sub 2}, and UGa{sub 2}, have been investigated. The Mn moments order ferromagnetically in UMn{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} below 380 K, and while the U moments do not order ferromagnetically until the temperature is below 150 K. The measurements presented here show that the size of the Kerr rotation increases from 0.05{degree} at room temperature to 0.15{degree} when the U moments are ordered. The wavelength dependence of the Kerr rotation between 500 and 1000 nm is rather weak. UGa{sub 2} orders ferromagnetically at 130 K, and a Kerr rotation of 0.2{degree} at 85 K and 632.8 nm can be measured, with the rotation increasing to 0.4{degree} at 1000 nm. UFe{sub 2} orders ferromagnetically at 180 K, and the Kerr rotation (85 K, 632.8 nm) is 0.17{degree}. These magnetic and optical properties are discussed in terms of the electronic states of uranium.

• OSTI ID: 5693003
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA), Vol. 69:8; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
GERMANIUM COMPOUNDS
IRON COMPOUNDS
MANGANESE COMPOUNDS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
INFRARED RADIATION
KERR EFFECT
LOW TEMPERATURE
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
POLYCRYSTALS
VISIBLE RADIATION
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
CRYSTALS
DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
360104* - Metals & Alloys- Physical Properties