Exchange bias and its tuning in magnetic compensated Nd doped ferromagnetic samarium metal

Abstract

Sm metal is a ferromagnet with a very small net magnetization as it comprises nearly compensated local moment (4f-orbital moment slightly greater than the 4f-spin moment) which is coupled to conduction electrons via RKKY exchange mechanism and results in antiferromagnetically coupled alignment between total local moment and the contribution from conduction electron polarization. Ferromagnetic Sm metal is considered to be in spin surplus state, as it yields magnetic compensation on doping with RE-ions (e.g., Nd) belonging to the first half of 4f-series. The results pertaining to identification and tuning of the exchange bias (EB) field in Nd doped Sm metal are presented.