Magnetization densities and electronic states in crystals

Abstract

The classical polarized neutron technique provides an extremely sensitive method for studying magnetization distributions in crystalline materials. In the transition metals and their compounds it is recognized that the d electrons act both as valence electrons and as carriers of the magnetism. This dual role implies that the magnetization distribution can give information about the behaviour of valence electrons. The pioneering work in this field yielded new insight into the behaviour of the magnetic elements themselves. The paper begins with an introduction to the elastic magnetic scattering of neutrons, the electronic origin of magnetization density and the polarized neutron technique itself. A brief survey of earlier work in the important areas of application is followed by more detailed discussion of three recent experiments: the determination of the paramagnetic form factor of technetium, a study of orbital effects in a ferrimagnetic vanadium salt (K 5 V 3 F 14 ) and the spin density and bonding in the [CoCl 4 ] 2- ion.