Abstract
Measurements of specific heat and magnetization in single crystals were used to map out the magnetic phase diagram of Gd1−xErxB4 (x = 0.2 and 0.4) solid solutions along the c-axis. While GdB4 orders antiferromagnetically (AF) at 41.7 K, with the easy plane of magnetization oriented perpendicularly to the c-axis, ErB4 displays AF ordering below 15.4 K, with the easy axis along c. Therefore, in solid solutions, the competition between the different spin anisotropies, as well as frustration, lead to a complex spin configuration. These measurements reveal that a 40% substitution of Er for Gd is sufficient for generating a phase diagram similar to the one for the ErB4 system, characterized by the occurrence of plateau phases and other exotic features attributed to the interplay of competing magnetic anisotropies.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
