Cascade of phase transitions in GdFe3(BO3)4
R. Z. Levitin, E. A. Popova, R. M. Chtsherbov, A. N. Vasiliev, M. N. Popova+,, E. P. Chukalina+, S. A. Klimin+*, P. H. M. van Loosdrecht*, D. Fausti*, L. N. BezmaternykhΔ
Physics Faculty, Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
+Institute of Spectroscopy RAS, 142190 Troitsk, Moscow region, Russia
*Material Science Center, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
Δ L. V. Kirensky Institute of Physics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
PACS: 65.40.Ba, 71.70.Gm, 75.30.Et 75.40.Cx, 78.30.Hv
Abstract
Cascade of phase transitions in GdFe3(BO3)4 at 156 K, 37 K
and 9 K has been detected by specific heat measurements and further studied
by Raman scattering and Nd3+ spectroscopic probe method. A weakly
first-order structural phase transition at 156 K is followed by a
second-order antiferromagnetic ordering phase transition at 37 K
and a first-order spin-reorientational phase transition at 9 K.