Effects of localization on the magnetic transition of thin gadolinium wires
- Department of Physics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL (USA) Molecular Science Program, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-4401 (USA)
Thin wires of gadolinium have been fabricated through a step lithographic technique with cross-sectional areas from 1.3{times}10{sup {minus}11} to 58{times}10{sup {minus}11} cm{sup 2}. The Gd thin films were deposited in a UHV system by thermal evaporation and have a room-temperature resistivity of 85 {mu}{Omega} cm. The electrical resistance of thin films and wires was measured by the four-probe method in the temperature range from 1.5 to 300 K. We also studied the isothermal magnetoresistance at temperatures below 30 K in a magnetic field up to 5.5 T. As the temperature decreases, the resistivity {rho} of Gd wires first decreases towards a minimum at {similar to}55 K, then rises to a maximum at {similar to} 31 K, followed by a sharp drop below 31 K. The minimum in the resistivity at 55 K is associated with the localization effect. It is believed that the sharp drop in {rho} below 31 K is due to a magnetic transition in the Gd wire. This magnetic transition is possible due to a large shift in the Curie temperature caused by a reduction in the density of conduction electrons, arising from localization effects in the thin wire. The magnetoresistance (MR) data below 20 K show a negative value, and the field dependence of MR is similar to that of ferromagnetic metals. This is the first study of thin magnetic wires, to our knowledge.
- OSTI ID:
- 6950054
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Physics; (USA), Vol. 67:9; ISSN 0021-8979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GADOLINIUM
MAGNETORESISTANCE
CURIE POINT
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRON DENSITY
LOW TEMPERATURE
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
THIN FILMS
ULTRAHIGH VACUUM
ULTRALOW TEMPERATURE
VAPOR DEPOSITED COATINGS
VERY LOW TEMPERATURE
WIRES
COATINGS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELEMENTS
FILMS
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RARE EARTHS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
360104* - Metals & Alloys- Physical Properties