Magnetic and thermophysical properties of Gd_<i>X</i>Mn_1−<i>X</i>S solid solutions

Abstract

The structural, magnetic, and thermophysical properties of cation-substituted sulfides Gd(X)Mn(1-X)S (0.04 ≤ X ≤ 0.25) with the NaCl-type face-centered cubic lattice have been investigated. The range of existence of long-range antiferromagnetic order has been established. The anomalies observed in the temperature dependence of the specific heat correspond to the temperatures of the magnetic phase transition. The anomaly in the specific heat caused by electron transitions between the 4f levels and d band states has been observed. It has been found that the coefficient of thermal expansion decreases with increasing concentration of substituents in the magnetically ordered region and remains nearly invariable in the paramagnetic phase.