Determination of spin and orbital magnetization in the ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe

M.W. Butchers, J.A. Duffy, J.W. Taylor, S.R. Giblin, Stephen Dugdale, C. Stock, P.H. Tobash, E. Bauer, C.F. Paulsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

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Abstract

The magnetism in the ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe has been studied using a combination of magnetic Compton scattering, bulk magnetization, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and electronic structure calculations, in order to determine the spin and orbital moments. The experimentally observed total spin moment Ms was found to be −0.24±0.05μB at 5 T. By comparison with the total moment of 0.16±0.01μB, the orbital moment Ml was determined to be 0.40±0.05μB. The U and Co spin moments were determined to be antiparallel. We find that the U 5ƒ electrons carry a spin moment of Us≈−0.30μB and that there is a Co spin moment of Cos≈0.06μB induced via hybridization. The ratio Ul/Us, of −1.3±0.3, shows the U moment to be itinerant. In order to ensure an accurate description of the properties of 5ƒ systems, and to provide a critical test of the theoretical approaches, it is clearly necessary to obtain experimental data for both the spin and orbital moments, rather than just the total magnetic moment. This can be achieved simply by measuring the spin moment with magnetic Compton scattering and comparing this to the total moment from bulk magnetization.
Original languageEnglish
Article number121107(R)
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume92
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Sept 2015

Bibliographical note

Date of Acceptance: 26/01/2015

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