The ESR study of single crystal spinel ZnCr2Se4 diluted with Sb and V

The single crystal of Sb3+ and V3+ doped zinc chromium selenide spinel ZnCr2Se4 were prepared by a chemical transport method and characterized by ESR spectroscopy in order to examine the effect of nonmagnetic antimony and magnetic vanadium on properties of the system. For antimony admixtures the Neel temperature is very similar to that of the parent spinel ZnCr2Se4 (22 K). However, upon incorporating vanadium ions, the TN temperature decreases down to 17.5 K, determined for the maximum vanadium content (x=0.06). The temperature dependence of the ESR linewidth over paramagnetic region is interpreted by an occurrence of spin–phonon interaction. The strong broadening linewidth together with its strong temperature dependence for vanadium doped ZnCr2Se4 is explained by the complex paramagnetic relaxation model.

► Preparation of single crystal of spinel ZnCr2Se4 diluted with Sb and V.
► Temperature dependence of the ESR linewidth.
► One-phonon relaxation in paramagnetic range of Sb-doped spinel.
► Complex paramagnetic relaxation model for V-doped spinel.
► Magnetic ordering of the spinel studied occurs in a two-step process.