Effect of spin slip structures on the resistivity of erbium and holmium

Abstract

Single-crystal erbium and holmium each have a series of magnetic phases which have become known as ‘spin slip’ structures. These structures were first observed using X-ray and neutron diffraction by Gibbs et al. Recently the present authors reported anomalies in the temperature dependence of the magnetization of single crystals of holmium and erbium. These anomalies correspond well with the results of Gibbs et al. In this paper the results of resistivity as a function of temperature for pure single crystals of erbium and holmium are reported. In single-crystal erbium, transitions in resistivity are seen at T = 19, 25, 30, 33, 40, 50, 53 and 86 K. Resistivity data for holmium clearly show transitions at T c = 13, 20, 24 and 42 K and T N = 132 K. In addition, a large increase in the electrical noise for holmium in the temperature range 80–105 K is observed. These electrical measurements are the first reported for erbium and holmium to show the effects of spin slip structures on resistivity.