Crystal field, spin-orbit coupling and magnetism in a ferromagnet YTiO3

TL;DR

This paper models the magnetic properties of YTiO3 using a single-ion approach considering crystal field and spin-orbit coupling, successfully reproducing experimental magnetic behavior and emphasizing the importance of spin-orbit effects and lattice distortions.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified single-ion model that accurately predicts magnetic moments and susceptibility in YTiO3, highlighting the role of spin-orbit coupling and lattice distortions in 3d magnetism.

Findings

Accurately reproduces magnetic moment and susceptibility.

Shows spin-orbit coupling is crucial for 3d magnetic properties.

Demonstrates lattice distortions influence magnetism.

Abstract

Magnetic properties of stechiometric YTiO3 has been calculated within the single-ion-based paradigm taking into account the low-symmetry crystal field and the intra-atomic spin-orbit coupling of the Ti3+ ion. Despite of the very simplified approach the calculations reproduce perfectly the value of the magnetic moment and its direction as well as temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility chi(T). It turns out that the spin-orbit coupling is fundamentally important for 3d magnetism and magnetic properties are determined by lattice distortions.