Studies on rare-earth compounds. Part I. The magnetic anisotropy of and crystal field in cerous magnesium nitrate, Ce2Mg3(NO3)12,24H2O

Abstract

The average magnetic susceptibility and magnetic anisotropy of cerous magnesium nitrate over the temperature range 80–300 K are reported. These results, together with the previously reported g-values, have been interpreted in terms of a point-charge crystal-field model with the inclusion of an orbital reduction parameter k. Values of the radial parameters ρ2, ρ4 and ρ6 for both a 12- and 6-co-ordinate model have been determined. The value of k required by both models is in the range 0·93–0·96. The possible reasons for this parameter being less than unity are discussed.