In-plane magnetization anisotropy in Gd{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} single crystals

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.52.13444· OSTI ID:122333

Butera, A; Tovar, M ^[1]; Oseroff, S B ^[2]; Fisk, Z ^[3]

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1. Centro Atomico Bariloche and Instituto Balseiro, Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica, 8400 S. C. de Bariloche (Argentina)
2. San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182 (United States)
3. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

We present here detailed dc magnetization measurements of a Gd{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} single crystal. Besides the strong out-of-plane anisotropy that favors the orientation of the magnetization within the CuO{sub 2} planes for {ital R}{sub 2}CuO{sub 4}, we have also found in-plane anisotropy when the external field {ital H} is applied parallel to the CuO{sub 2} planes. Three regions could be distinguished in magnetization {ital M} vs field curves: for 0{lt}{ital H}{lt}{ital H}{sub {ital c}}{sup {prime}}{approx}35 G, {ital M} is only slightly anisotropic. A metamagneticlike transition is observed when {ital H} is parallel to an anisotropy easy axis, coincident with one [110] direction. Above this transition a ``hidden`` weak ferromagnetic component develops. For {ital H}{sub {ital c}}{sup {prime}}{lt}{ital H}{lt}{ital H}{sub {ital c}}{sup *}{approx}300 G strong anisotropy is found, and above the critical field {ital H}{sub {ital c}}{sup *} all magnetic moments are completely aligned with the external field and the magnetization is again isotropic. Hysteretic behavior has been observed at the metamagnetic transition, probably due to the existence of weak ferromagnetic domains. An intraplanar anisotropy field {ital H}{sub {ital x}}{approx}1200 G and an interplanar coupling constant {ital J}{sub {perpendicular}}{approx}2 mK, have been estimated from the experimental critical fields using a mean field description of the magnetic coupling between CuO{sub 2} planes.

• OSTI ID: 122333
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 52; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ANISOTROPY
COPPER OXIDES
CRITICAL FIELD
GADOLINIUM OXIDES
HYSTERESIS
MAGNETIC MOMENTS
MAGNETIZATION
MONOCRYSTALS