Polarized single crystal neutron diffraction study of the zero-magnetization ferromagnet Sm$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$Al$_2$ (x = 0.024)

TL;DR

This study uses polarized neutron diffraction to analyze the temperature-dependent spin and orbital moments in the zero-magnetization ferromagnet Sm$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$Al$_2$, revealing complex magnetic behavior and the influence of Gd doping.

Contribution

First detailed polarized neutron diffraction analysis of Sm$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$Al$_2$ showing temperature evolution of spin and orbital moments with high precision.

Findings

Spin and orbital moments are oppositely directed under an 8T field.

Both moments are about 2 μB below 60 K, with orbital slightly larger.

A sign change occurs at approximately 67 K, indicating a complex magnetic transition.

Abstract

We have determined the temperature evolution of the spin and orbital moments in the zero magnetization ferromagnet Sm$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$Al$_2$ (x = 0.024) by combining polarized and unpolarized single crystal neutron diffraction data. The sensitivity of the polarized neutron technique has allowed the moment values to be determined with a precision of $\approx 0.1$~\mub. Our results clearly demonstrate that, when magnetised by a field of 8T, the spin and orbital moments in Sm$_{1-x}$Gd$_x$Al$_2$ are oppositely directed so that the net magnetization is very small. Below 60 K the contributions from spin and orbital motions are both about 2\mub\ with that due to orbital motion being slightly larger than that due to spin. Between 60 and 65 K the contributions of each to the magnetization fall rapidly and change sign at \Tcomp\ $\approx 67$K above which the aligned moments recover but with the orbital magnetization still slightly higher than the spin one. These results imply that above \Tcomp\ the small resultant magnetization of the \smion\ ion is oppositely directed to the magnetizing field. It is suggested that this anomaly is due to polarization of conduction electron spin associated with the doping Gd$^{3+}$ ions.