Alternating magnetic anisotropy of Li${}_2$(Li${}_{1-x}{T}_x$)N with $T$ = Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni

Abstract

Substantial amounts of the transition metals Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni can be substituted for Li in single crystalline Li${}_2$(Li${}_{1-x}{T}_x$)N. Isothermal and temperature-dependent magnetization measurements reveal local magnetic moments with magnitudes significantly exceeding the spin-only value. The additional contributions stem from unquenched orbital moments that lead to rare-earth-like behavior of the magnetic properties. Accordingly, extremely large magnetic anisotropies have been found. Most notably, the magnetic anisotropy alternates as easy-plane $\to$ easy-axis $\to$ easy-plane $\to$ easy-axis when progressing from $T$ = Mn $\to$ Fe $\to$ Co $\to$ Ni. This behavior can be understood based on a perturbation approach in an analytical, single-ion model. The calculated magnetic anisotropies show a surprisingly good agreement with the experiment and capture the basic features observed for the different transition metals.

5 pages, 3 figures, published as PRB Rapid Communication, Fig. 3 updated

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