Exchange Striction of Ferromagnetic Compound CrTe

Abstract

Temperature dependence of lattice parameters of CrTe was measured in a temperature range from 113°K to 413°K, by the method of X-ray diffraction. Large expansion of the lattice was observed as temperature lowered through the Curie point (345°K). Exchange striction was obtained by subtracting normal thermal expansion due to lattice vibration from the observed thermal expansion curve. Temperature dependence of the exchange striction thus directly observed was shown to agree fairly well with that deduced, on the basis of the molecular field theory proposed by Bean and Rodbell, from results of the pressure effect of the Curie temperature and temperature dependence of saturation magnetization.