Magnetic and electronic properties of nanocrystalline Gd(3)Fe(5)O(12) garnet

Abstract

The Gd(3)Fe(5)O(12) nanocrystalline Gadolinium Iron Garnet (GdIG) obtained from a sintered block was milled in a high energy ball mill. We measured the magnetization at 5 K under applied fields up to 12 T. We report here our study of approach to saturation magnetization. The results have been interpreted within the framework of random anisotropy model. From an analysis of the approach to saturation magnetization some fundamental parameters have been extracted. We have determined the anisotropy field H(r) and the local magnetic anisotropy constant K(L). In addition, first-principles spin-density functional calculations, using the Full potential Linear Augmented Plane Waves (FLAPW) method are performed to investigate electronic and magnetic structures. All computed parameters are discussed and compared to available experimental data. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.