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The magnetic state of Pr in PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7}.

Journal Article · · Physica C
We present the results of a detailed theoretical analysis of neutron inelastic scattering measurements of the crystal-field excitations in PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7}. Using a scaling procedure we estimate the crystal-field parameters for Pr{sup 3+} from those of Ho{sup 3+} determined from neutron spectra of HoBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7}. With the scaled parameters as a starting point and guide we refine a model which is able to account for the main features of the crystal-field spectra of PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7}, including the position of a peak in the neutron spectrum near 280 meV, presented here for the first time, arising from {sup 3}H{sub 4} to {sup 3}H{sub 5} intermultiplet transitions. The analysis leads us to propose the sequence {Gamma}{sub 4}-{Gamma}{sub 2}-{Gamma}{sub 1} for the symmetries of the levels within the crystal-field-split quasi-triplet ground state, and we show that this level scheme is consistent with the observed magnetic anisotropy. We predict the excitation spectrum of Pr{sup 4+} by scaling the Pr{sup 3+} parameters, and use it to estimate an upper limit of 10% for the concentration of stable Pr{sup 4+} ions on the yttrium site. The prevalence of Pr{sup 3+} is consistent with a magnetic interaction, rather than hole-filling, as the major factor responsible for the absence of superconductivity in PrBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7}.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
937692
Report Number(s):
ANL/MSD/JA-12032
Journal Information:
Physica C, Journal Name: Physica C Journal Issue: 3-4 ; 1993 Vol. 217; ISSN 0921-4534; ISSN PHYCE6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH

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