Crystal Field Theory of Magnetic Behaviour of Er2(SO4)3·8H2O

R. Gupta, U.S. Ghosh, C. Basu Department of Solid Physics, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Calcutta - 700032, India

Received: September 19, 1995; revised version: February 7, 1996

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Using the most rigorous approach of direct diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix constructed in the complete basis states (364 in number) of the Er3+ ion the observed magnetic susceptibility and anisotropy data of erbium sulphate octahydrate were simulated and the set of crystal field parameters was evaluated. This procedure automatically includes the effect of intermediate coupling and the J-mixing under the crystal field. It was also demonstrated that such rigorous calculation using complete basis states is necessary in order to evaluate the correct set of parameters which may widely differ from the values obtained from approximate calculations previously performed using partial number of basis states of the ion concerned.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.89.649 PACS numbers: 71.70.Ch, 75.10.Dg