Electronic properties of mixed uranium-thorium monosulphides (U xTh1-x)S

J. Danan , C.H. de Novion , Y. Guerin , F.A. Wedgwood , M. Kuznietz

We have measured bulk magnetization, neutron magnetic scattering and specific heat between 1.5 and 300 K of mixed uranium-thorium monosulphides (U xTh1-x)S with large uranium concentrations (x ≽ 0.20). Long-range ferromagnetic order is observed at low temperature for 0.43 < x ≤ 1, but no long-range magnetic order occurs for x < 0.43. Magnetization and Curie temperature decrease linearly with uranium content. The electronic specific heat is maximum at the critical concentration xc = 0.43. Our experiments failed to reveal Schottky anomalies in specific heat or crystal-field levels by inelastic neutron scattering. Our results favour a band description rather than a localised description for uranium 5f electrons.

Mots clés: band model of magnetism; Curie temperature; ferromagnetic properties of substances; magnetisation; neutron diffraction examination of materials; specific heat of solids; thorium compounds; uranium compounds

Domaines: Articles anciens

J. Danan, C.H. de Novion, Y. Guerin, F.A. Wedgwood, M. Kuznietz. Electronic properties of mixed uranium-thorium monosulphides (U xTh1-x)S. Journal de Physique, 1976, 37 (10), pp.1169-1186. ⟨10.1051/jphys:0197600370100116900⟩. ⟨jpa-00208514⟩