Gadolinium Spin Density

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Abstract
Measurements of the magnetic form factor of Gd have been performed using a variety of experimental methods. Single crystals of metallic 160Gd were studied in the ferromagnetic state by both polarized and unpolarized neutron diffraction techniques. Data have been obtained for all (hk0) Bragg peaks out to sinθ/λ=1.275 and for all (0kl) peaks out to sinθ/λ=1.04. The form factor has also been measured in the metallic paramagnetic state using the polarized beam technique. In this case the shape of the spin distribution appears to be identical to that observed in the ferromagnetic state. The metallic spin density is spherically symmetric and has a radial dependence which is significantly expanded relative to Hartree‐Fock calculations for the 4f electrons in Gd3+.1 It is not possible to fit the data by combining ionic 4f and atomic 5d calculated form factors. Surprisingly, the data are in good agreement with a 4f form factor2 based on Hartree‐Fock atomic wavefunctions3 for atomic Gd in a 4f86s2 electron configuration. The ionic state has been investigated by measuring the paramagnetic scattering from 160Gd2O3 out to sinθ/λ=0.5 using the polarization analysis technique. In contrast with the metallic case and in accord with earlier results, we find good agreement with the Gd3+ calculation except at very small scattering angles.

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