MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF RARE-EARTH COMPOUNDS WITH PYROCHLORE STRUCTURE

Calculation of the magnetic susceptibility X of powdered Dy0.2Y1.8Ti2O7 shows that the small deviations (≲15 per cent) from the free Dy3+ ion values observed in the temperature range 2-1400°K, are consistent with a given trigonally distorted cubic crystalline field at the Dy3+ ion site. The total crystalline field splitting of the Dy3+ 6H 15 2 ground state is approximately 650 cm-1. Analysis of a curve of X-1 vs. T of powdered Yb2Ti2O7, in the temperature range 2-1400°K yields the sign and magnitude of the cubic crystalline field splitting of the Yb3+2F 7 2 ground state. © 1968.