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Ground-state wave functions of Tb[sup 3+] ions in paramagnetic TbPO[sub 4]: A neutron scattering study

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States)
; ;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Intense Pulsed Neutron Source, Chemistry and Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439-4814 (United States)
  2. Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6056 (United States)

The paramagnetic-excitation spectrum of TbPO[sub 4] has been investigated by means of inelastic neutron-scattering techniques, and the observed crystal-field transitions were analyzed using a Hamiltonian that included the atomic free-ion and crystal-field interactions for an [ital f][sup 8] configuration. Five parameters for the crystal-field potential were obtained that provided a satisfactory description of the neutron data collected at temperatures between 4.2 and 150 K. The calculated crystal-field contribution to the specific heat in the 4--10 K temperature range and the paramagnetic susceptibility agree well with the experimental results. The large anisotropy of the magnetic ground-state doublet of the Tb ions with respect to the crystallographic [ital c] axis has important consequences for the spin structure in the antiferromagnetic phases at low temperatures. The effective internal magnetic field in antiferromagnetic TbPO[sub 4] was estimated based on the crystal-field-level scheme and a molecular-field approximation and was found to be in good agreement with the values reported from other measurements.

DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38; AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6301180
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States) Vol. 48:9; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English