Magnetocrystalline anisotropy in UMn2Ge2 and related Mn-based actinide ferromagnets

David S. Parker, Nirmal Ghimire, John Singleton, J. D. Thompson, Eric D. Bauer, Ryan Baumbach, David Mandrus, Ling Li, David J. Singh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present magnetization isotherms in pulsed magnetic fields up to 62 T, supported by first-principles calculations, demonstrating a huge uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy - approximately 20 MJ/m3 - in UMn2Ge2. This large anisotropy results from the extremely strong spin-orbit coupling affecting the uranium 5f electrons, which in the calculations exhibit a substantial orbital moment exceeding 2μB. We also find from theoretical calculations that a number of isostructural Mn actinide compounds are expected to have similarly large anisotropy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number174401
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume91
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - May 4 2015

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Science Foundation1410428

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