Magnetic structures in RNi₄B (R=Nd, Tb, Ho, Er)

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2013.03.003· OSTI ID:22306306

Mazumdar, C. ^[1]

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1. Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-1, Block-AF, 700064 Kolkata (India)

Neutron diffraction has been performed on RNi₄B (R=Nd, Tb, Ho, Er) polycrystals. The orthorhombic structure for NdNi₄B and the CeCo₄B structure type (hexagonal) for TbNi₄B and HoNi₄B are confirmed. Our data also show that this last structure is currently the best approximant for ErNi₄B. The RNi₄B (R=Nd, Tb, Ho, Er) order ferromagnetically at respectively 11.0, 18.1, 6.2 and 10.0 K. The crystal electric field (CEF) interaction controls the magnetic anisotropy in this series leading to an easy axis ~30 deg above the basal plane in RNi₄B (R=Nd, Tb, Ho) and parallel to the c-axis in ErNi₄B at 1.6 K. The RNi₄B (R=Nd, Tb, Ho) display a spin re-orientation below T_c which arises from a competition between the second order term and the higher order terms of the CEF hamiltonian. - Graphical abstract: Simplified magnetic structure in NdNi₄B and full magnetic structure in RNi₄B (R=Tb, Ho). Variation with temperature of the easy magnetization axis direction (angle with c-axis) showing a spin re-orientation. Highlights: • RNi₄B (R=Nd, Tb, Ho, Er) polycrystals were inductively melted. • Neutron diffraction confirms they all order ferromagnetically. • The magnetization easy axis is parallel to the c-axis in ErNi₄B. • The RNi₄B (R=Nd, Tb, Ho) display a spin re-orientation below T_c. • Their easy axis tilts from the c-axis at T_c to ~30 deg above the basal plane at 1.5 K.

• OSTI ID: 22306306
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 202; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ANISOTROPY
CERIUM BORIDES
COBALT BORIDES
CONTROL
ELECTRIC FIELDS
FERROMAGNETISM
HAMILTONIANS
INTERACTIONS
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
MAGNETIZATION
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
ORTHORHOMBIC LATTICES
POLYCRYSTALS
RARE EARTHS
SPIN