Effect of rare-earth ion local anisotropy on macroscopic magnetic properties of (La0.985Ho0.015)3Ga5SiO14 lagnasite

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical studies of the magnetic properties of the unique Ising-like paramagnet (La0.985Ho0.015)3Ga5SiO14 have been carried out. We found magnetic anisotropy in strong magnetic field (up to 5 T) rotated in the ab*, b*c and ac planes at low temperatures (T ≤ 5K). We show that the observed magnetization features are connected with the local orientation and distribution of the Ho3+ Ising axes, which may deviate from the symmetry-allowed directions due to Ga/Si random filling in the local environment of the magnetic ions.