Induced spin polarisation in a ferromagnetic gadolinium-yttrium alloy

TL;DR

This paper provides the first direct evidence of induced spin polarization in a Gd-Y alloy, demonstrating Y electron polarization through Compton scattering and confirming theoretical predictions.

Contribution

It reports the first direct measurement of induced spin moments in Gd-Y alloys, validating theoretical models with experimental data.

Findings

Induced spin moment of 0.16 +/- 0.03 Bohr magnetons detected

Y electrons are polarized in the alloy

Results agree with LMTO theoretical calculations

Abstract

The first direct evidence of an induced spin moment in Gd(62.4)Y(37.6) is presented. This additional moment, of 0.16 +/- 0.03 Bohr magnetons, arises from polarisation of Y electrons in the alloy. The moment was detected in a Compton scattering experiment via the measurement of the one dimensional projection of the momentum space electron spin density in Gd and in the alloy. The result is consistent with theoretical predictions calculated using the LMTO method within the local spin density approximation.