Paramagnetic rare-earth oxideNd2O3investigated by muon spin spectroscopy

Abstract

In the context of a systematic study of oxide materials with the muon spin spectroscopy (μSR) technique, we report here on an investigation of paramagnetic Nd 2 O 3 . The question was whether the magnetism of Nd 3+ has an influence on the observed signals. In Nd 2 O 3 , as in the other oxides, a weakly paramagnetic component is observed besides the pure diamagnetic fraction. The paramagnetic part is assigned to a transient state formed between the initial atomic and the final bound muonium configuration. In addition, a fast relaxing signal (λ ∼ 7 μs −1 ) with 10% to 20% fraction is seen in longitudinal field. Contrary to this general behavior of the oxide materials, in the present magnetic compound, a resonancelike structure is seen in the temperature range around 40 K. We assign it tentatively to a dynamical process related to the population of the first excited Kramers doublet of the Nd 3+ ion at 2.6 meV.

Reply to “Comment on ‘Role of the transition state in muon implantation’ and ‘Thermal spike in muon implantation”’

“…We suggest that the transition state (seen as fast-relaxing diamagnetic-like signal in several experiments) 7,10,[13][14][15][16][21][22][23] has the same origin and structure as the above-mentioned states in TiO 2 , SrTiO 3 and Cr 2 O 3 , the only difference being that the electron is not localized in an atomic-scale region (small polaron) but is distributed over some area (large polaron) and probably also somewhat more distant from the muon. Such a configuration is predicted by theoretical calculations for zirconia samples.…”

“…In our model, 1 the fast relaxing signal in Al 2 O 3 and other systems [13][14][15][16] is assigned to an intermediate configuration (transition state) which is formed epithermally and has paramagnetic characteristics with an almost diamagnetic-like frequency behavior. The transition state may be described as a muonium complex with the electron slightly separated from the muon, but weakly bound to it.…”

Recent Developments of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures for High‐Rate Lithium Ion Batteries

“…The evolution of the muon spin can be monitored by collecting the positrons emitted and analysing the decay asymmetry of positions as a function of time. [144] Recently, Martin et al investigated the diffusion mechanism of lithium ions in Li 2 NiGe 3 O 8 by muon spectroscopy, which involved the measure-ment of decay asymmetry as a function of time in three longitudinal magnetic fields (0, 5 and 10 G) at various temperature levels ranging from 40 to 555 K, as shown in Figure 16 a. [145] Both distribution of local magnetic field and fluctuation rate can be extracted from the fitted curves.…”

“…The positrons produced due to the decay of muons are emitted in the muon spin direction. The evolution of the muon spin can be monitored by collecting the positrons emitted and analysing the decay asymmetry of positions as a function of time . Recently, Martin et al.…”