Magnetic Specific Heat of Cd1−xMnxTe at Low Temperatures and High Magnetic Fields

Abstract

AbstractTheoretical predictions for the magnetic specific heat of Cd1−xMnxTe:x=0.20, 0.35, 0.50, and 0.65 are reported for B=0, 10T, and 100T. The analysis applies to the low-temperature regime, T≤10K, where the fundamental excitations are harmonic magnons. The calculations use values for the exchange interactions which were inferred from fits to the dynamic structure factor describing inelastic neutron scattering at low temperatures. For x=0.35, 0.50, and 0.65 the specific heat is only weakly affected by applied fields up to 10T. At the lowest concentration the application of a field of 10T leads to a significant reduction in the specific heat. Results are also presented for the distribution of magnon modes at various concentrations and fields.