The b-axis magnetic phase diagram of erbium

Abstract

We have used resistance versus temperature and magnetoresistance measurements to construct the b-axis magnetic phase diagram of single-crystal erbium. The magnetic phase transitions are identified as slope changes in resistivity data at constant applied magnetic fields along the b-axis. At zero field we observe transitions at about 19 K , 22 K, 42 K, 48 K, 53 K , and 87 K . The dependence of these transition temperatures as a function of applied magnetic fields ( H) allowed us to construct an H - T phase diagram of single-crystal erbium along the b-axis. We observe that the zero-field 42 K and 87 K transitions do not have significant magnetic field dependence whereas the zero-field transitions at 48 K and 53 K are highly field dependent. Recently, Jehan et al have constructed the a-axis magnetic phase diagram of erbium using neutron diffraction and magnetization measurements. We have utilized their data to provide information concerning the magnetic structure in some areas of our phase diagram.