Magnetic properties of Pb-=SUB=-1-y-=/SUB=-Sc-=SUB=-y-=/SUB=-Te alloys

Abstract

The magnetic field dependences of the magnetization (B≤9 T, T=2-70 K) of the samples from a single crystal Pb1-yScyTe (y=0.01) ingot, synthesized by the Bridgman method, are studied. It is established that, in accordance with the generally accepted model of the rearrangement of the electronic structure of alloys during doping, there is no paramagnetic contribution of single scandium ions located in the nodes of the metal sublattice in the studied samples. The magnetization of the samples contains several contributions: superparamagnetism of scandium clusters, linear in field diamagnetism of the crystal lattice and the paramagnetism of free electrons, as well as the oscillating contribution of the de Haas--van Alphen effect. The field dependences of the main contribution of scandium clusters are successfully approximated using the Langevin function. The average concentration, magnetic moment and the total magnetic moment of the clusters per unit volume of the sample were determined with an increase in the impurity concentration along the ingot. Keywords: PbTe-based alloys, 3d-transition metal impurities, rearrangement of electronic structure, field dependences of magnetization, superparamagnetism of scandium clusters.