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Crystal-field excitations and superconductivity in Nd sub 1+ x Ba sub 2 minus x Cu sub 3 O sub 7

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.344860· OSTI ID:6948084
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (USA)

The {ital f}-electron excitation spectra of Nd ions in superconducting NdBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} and semiconducting Nd{sub 1.5}Ba{sub 1.5}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} have been determined by inelastic neutron scattering. Transitions within the paramagnetic ground-state multiplet due to crystal-field splittings have been observed up to about 120 meV in these materials. The temperature dependence of the width of the low-lying transition at {similar to}21 meV shows significant differences in the superconducting and normal states. Adopting the CF level assignments for HoBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7}, we rescaled the CF parameters to account for the larger radial wave functions of Nd{sup 3+} ions and obtained a level scheme for the Nd using the lowest 100 states of the {ital f}{sup 3} configuration. The calculated level structures for REBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} (RE=Nd, Pr, Ho) are in good agreement with neutron and susceptibility measurements. Influence of superconducting ordering on crystal-field transitions in the Nd{sub 1+{ital x}}Ba{sub 2{minus}{ital x}}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} system is also discussed.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6948084
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA) Vol. 67:9; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English