Abstract
We present magnetization isotherms in pulsed magnetic fields up to 62 T, supported by first-principles calculations, demonstrating a huge uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy—approximately 20 —in . This large anisotropy results from the extremely strong spin-orbit coupling affecting the uranium electrons, which in the calculations exhibit a substantial orbital moment exceeding . We also find from theoretical calculations that a number of isostructural Mn actinide compounds are expected to have similarly large anisotropy.
- Received 28 January 2015
- Revised 15 April 2015
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.174401
©2015 American Physical Society