Magnetic properties of Gd_xY_{1-x}Fe_2Zn_{20}: dilute, large, $\textbf {S}$ moments in a nearly ferromagnetic Fermi liquid

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic behavior of Gd_xY_{1-x}Fe_2Zn_{20} single crystals, revealing ferromagnetic order of Gd^{3+} moments in a nearly ferromagnetic Fermi liquid, and explains the phenomena using the s-d model.

Contribution

It provides new insights into dilute Gd moments in a nearly ferromagnetic host, combining experimental measurements with theoretical modeling to understand magnetic ordering and properties.

Findings

Ferromagnetic order observed for Gd^{3+} moments across the series.

Reduced saturated magnetic moments at low temperatures.

Variation of Curie temperature explained by the s-d model.

Abstract

Single crystals of the dilute, rare earth bearing, pseudo-ternary series, Gd_xY_{1-x}Fe_2Zn_{20} were grown out of Zn-rich solution. Measurements of magnetization, resistivity and heat capacity on Gd_xY_{1-x}Fe_2Zn_{20} samples reveal ferromagnetic order of Gd^{3+} local moments across virtually the whole series ($x \geq 0.02$). The magnetic properties of this series, including the ferromagnetic ordering, the reduced saturated moments at base temperature, the deviation of the susceptibilities from Curie-Weiss law and the anomalies in the resistivity, are understood within the frame work of dilute, $\textbf {S}$ moments (Gd^{3+}) embedded in a nearly ferromagnetic Fermi liquid (YFe_2Zn_{20}). The s-d model is employed to further explain the variation of $T_{\mathrm{C}}$ with x as well as the temperature dependences of of the susceptibilities.