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Crystalline electric field of the rare-earth nickelates RniO{sub 3} (R = Pr, ND, Sm, Eu, and Pr{sub 1-x}La{sub x},0 {le} X {le} 0.7) determined by inelastic neutron scattering.

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. B
The rare-earth based nickelates RNiO{sub 3} (R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Pr{sub 1-x}La{sub x}, 0{<=}x{<=}0.7) were studied by inelastic neutron scattering. Energy splittings due to the crystalline-electric-field (CEF) interaction at the R{sup 3+} site within the electronic ground-state J multiplet (for R = Pr, Nd, and Pr{sub 1-x}La{sub x}) as well as within the two lowest-lying J multiplets (for R = Sm and Eu) were directly observed, and the corresponding CEF energy-level schemes were reconstructed. The latter were rationalized in terms of CEF parameters, which vary smoothly over the rare-earth series and give magnetic properties associated with the R sublattice in agreement with results from neutron powder diffraction experiments. Across the metal-insulator transition, a continuous change in the electronic part of the CEF parameters is observed. However, an attempt to quantify a charge transfer from the observed variation of the CEF parameters in an effective point charge model failed, probably due to the strong covalency in these compounds. Across the structural transition occurring in Pr{sub 1-x}La{sub x}NiO{sub 3} at x = 0.7, a change in the symmetry of the CEF ground state is observed which has a profound influence on the thermodynamic properties.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
Sponsoring Organization:
SC; FOR
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
942694
Report Number(s):
ANL/MSD/JA-33801
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. B, Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B Journal Issue: 21 ; Dec. 1, 1999 Vol. 60; ISSN 1098-0121
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH