Single-ion anisotropy in the gadolinium pyrochlores studied by an electron paramagnetic resonance

Glazkov, V. N.; Zhitomirsky, M. E.; Smirnov, A. I.; von Nidda, H. -A. Krug; Loidl, A.; Marin, C.; Sanchez, J. -P.

Single-ion anisotropy in the gadolinium pyrochlores studied by an electron paramagnetic resonance

Authors

Glazkov, V. N.

Zhitomirsky, M. E.

Smirnov, A. I.

von Nidda, H. -A. Krug

Loidl, A.

Marin, C.

Sanchez, J. -P.

Description

The electron paramagnetic resonance is used to measure the single-ion anisotropy of Gd3+ ions in the pyrochlore structure of (Y{1-x}Gdx)2Ti2O7. A rather strong easy-plane type anisotropy is found. The anisotropy constant D is comparable to the exchange integral J in the prototype Gd2Ti2O7, D~0.75J and exceeds the dipolar energy scale. Physical implications of an easy-plane anisotropy for a pyrochlore antiferromagnet are considered. We calculate the magnetization curves at T=0 and discuss phase transitions in magnetic field.
5 pages, accepted to PRB