Crystal-fields in YbInNi4 determined with magnetic form factor and inelastic neutron scattering

TL;DR

This study uses polarized and inelastic neutron scattering to determine the crystal-field scheme of YbInNi4, revealing a g quartet ground state and excluding a 7 doublet, advancing understanding of its magnetic properties.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed determination of the crystal-field scheme of YbInNi4 using neutron scattering techniques, clarifying its ground state configuration.

Findings

Magnetic form factor excludes 7 doublet as ground state.

Inelastic neutron scattering shows peaks at 3.2 meV and 4.4 meV.

Results support a g quartet ground state.

Abstract

The magnetic form factor of YbInNi4 has been determined via the flipping ratios R with polarized neutron diffraction and the scattering function S(Q,w) was measured in an inelastic neutron scattering experiment. Both experiments were performed with the aim to determine the crystal-field scheme. The magnetic form factor clearly excludes the possibility of a \Gamma7 doublet as the ground state. The inelastic neutron data exhibit two, almost equally strong peaks at 3.2 meV and 4.4 meV which points, in agreement with earlier neutron data, towards a \Gamma8 quartet ground state. Further possibilities like a quasi-quartet ground state are discussed.