Magnetic phase transitions induced by strong magnetic fields in Zn_1-xGa_0.667xCr₂se₄

Abstract

Powders of the spinels Zn_1-x Ga_0.667x Cr₂Se₄ for x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 have been obtained. For these spinels magnetization measurements were carried out by induction in strong pulsed magnetic fields up to 20T, in the temperature range 2.9 K to 30 K.

For x = 0.0 (ZnCr₂Se₄) three phase transitions were observed, whilst for concentrations with x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 there were only two and for x = 0.5 only one. A hypothesis on the magnetic structure of the various phases separated by these transition is put forward.