Rare-earth energy levels in Nd[sub 2]CuO[sub 4], Pr[sub 2]CuO[sub 4], and the electron superconductor Pr[sub 1. 85]Ce[sub 0. 15]CuO[sub 4]

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.48.14001· OSTI ID:5960186

Loong, C; Soderholm, L ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439-4814 (United States)

The magnetic excitation spectra of the electron superconductor Pr[sub 1.85]Ce[sub 0.15]CuO[sub 4] and related parent compounds Pr[sub 2]CuO[sub 4] and Nd[sub 2]CuO[sub 4] have been determined by inelastic neutron scattering. We observe crystal-field transitions up to about 100 meV within the Pr[sup 3+] [sup 3][ital H][sub 4] and Nd[sup 3+] [ital I][sub 9/2] Russell-Saunders ground multiplets in these materials. We find that a crystal-field treatment of the Pr[sup 3+] and Nd[sup 3+] ions can adequately explain the observed excitation spectra for both Pr[sub 2]CuO[sub 4] and Nd[sub 2]CuO[sub 4]. The obtained crystal-field parameters are close to values estimated from a superposition-model calculation and Moessbauer data. The Pr[sup 3+] and Nd[sup 3+] wave functions are found to have significant ([approx]20%) admixture of some states belonging to higher [ital J] multiplets. The calculated contributions to the susceptibility of Pr[sub 2]CuO[sub 4] and Nd[sub 2]CuO[sub 4] from the crystal-field states agree well with experiments. The observed crystal-field transitions in the superconductor Pr[sub 1.85]Ce[sub 0.15]CuO[sub 4] shift to slightly lower energies and are broadened significantly relative to the present compound due to chemical disorder from Ce doping.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5960186
• Journal Information: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States) Vol. 48:18; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360204* -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Physical Properties
BEAMS
CERIUM COMPOUNDS
CERIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER OXIDES
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
INELASTIC SCATTERING
NEODYMIUM COMPOUNDS
NEODYMIUM OXIDES
NEUTRON BEAMS
NUCLEON BEAMS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PRASEODYMIUM COMPOUNDS
PRASEODYMIUM OXIDES
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
SCATTERING
SUPERCONDUCTORS
TEMPERATURE RANGE
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0013-0065 K
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0065-0273 K
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0273-0400 K
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS