Crystal field investigation on the magnetic properties of Yb 3+ in Yb(CF 3SO 3) 3·9H 2O

Abstract

Ytterbium tri-fluoromethanesulfonate (YbTFMS) single crystals are prepared from the slow evaporation of the aqueous solution of YbTFMS and the principal magnetic susceptibility perpendicular to the c-axis of the hexagonal crystal ( χ ⊥) is measured from 300 K down to 13 K. Principal magnetic anisotropy Δ χ(= χ ∥− χ ⊥) is measured from 300 K down to 80 K which provides principal magnetic susceptibility parallel to the c-axis ( χ ∥) down to 80 K. Very good theoretical simulation of the observed magnetic properties of YbTFMS has been obtained using one electron crystal field (CF) analysis having C 3h site symmetry. No signature of ordering effect in the observed magnetic data is noticed down to the lowest temperature (13 K) attained, indicating the inter-ionic interaction to be of predominantly dipolar type. The calculated g-values are found to be g ∥=2.67 and g ⊥=2.51, respectively. CF analysis provides the electronic specific heat which gives two Schottky anomalies in its thermal variation down to ∼13 K. The temperature dependences of quadrupole splitting and hyperfine heat capacity are studied from the necessary information obtained from the CF analysis.