Study on the Fermi surface and the spin-dependent momentum space density of ferromagnetic Gd by positron annihilation experiments

Abstract

The Fermi surface (FS) and spin-dependent momentum space density distribution of ferromagnetic Gd was studied via longitudinally polarised positrons. The measurements were performed using a 2D angular correlation of the annihilation radiation experiments with the reversal magnetic field direction parallel and anti-parallel to the polarisation direction of the positron. It was found that the minority-spin states were concentrated in the basal plane and majority-spin states were concentrated around the A, L and H points. The analysis confirmed that the main contributions to the FS of Gd were influenced by the mixing of both the 5d–6s and the 4f–5d hybrid bands. The general layout of this FS was observed as two hole-like surfaces running along the [ΓA] axis and one electron-like surface running along the [MK] direction. In general, the experimental results showed good agreement with earlier investigations.