Synthesis under ambient pressure and tri-axial magnetic orientation in REBa2Cu4O8 (RE=Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er)

• Published in: Physica. C, Superconductivity Superconductivity, 2011-11, Vol.471 (21-22), p.872-875
• Main Authors: Yamaki, M., Horii, S., Haruta, M., Maeda, T., Shimoyama, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Magnetic axis; Magnetic orientation; RE–Ba–Cu–O
• ISSN: 0921-4534; 1873-2143
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physc.2011.05.077

► REBa2Cu4O8 (RE124) was synthesized by a flux method in ambient pressure for RE = Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho and Er. ► Tri-axial orientation of RE124 was achieved in a modulated rotating magnetic field of 10 T. ► Orientation axes in RE124 depended on the type of RE. ► Magnetization axes were determined from magnetic anisotropies of Cu and RE ions. We report the rare-earth (RE)-dependent magnetization axes of REBa2Cu4O8, which was synthesized by a flux method under ambient pressure, using powder samples tri-axially oriented in a modulated rotating magnetic field of 10T. By optimizing the growth temperature and cooling rate, RE124 crystals were successfully grown for RE=Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, and Er. From the X-ray diffraction measurement, the magnetically oriented directions were largely dependent on the type of RE ions of RE124. However, the tri-axial magnetic anisotropies of RE124 could be qualitatively understood in terms of the magnitude relation between the single-ion magnetic anisotropy of RE3+ ions and the magnetic anisotropy generated by the CuO2 plane and Cu–O chain. For the practical use of this magneto-scientific process, the control of magnetization axes and tri-axial magnetic anisotropies through crystallochemical control is indispensable.