Critical properties of the 3D-Heisenberg ferromagnet CuCr2Te4

The critical properties of ferromagnet CuCr2Te4 have been comprehensively studied around the critical point TCTC based on various techniques including the Kouvel–Fisher method and critical isotherm analysis. Reliable critical exponents of β=0.369±0.001,γ=1.27±0.01,δ=4.73±0.01 and the critical temperature (TC=326.0±0.1K) are obtained. The critical exponents are found to basically fulfill the Widom scaling relation δ=1+γ/βδ=1+γ/β. It is found that the 3D-Heisenberg model is the best model to describe the critical phenomena around the critical point TCTC except that γγ is slightly smaller than the theoretical value. The smallness of γγ could be attributed to the delocalized holes in a ligand non-bonding Te 5p–Cu 3d orbitals, suggesting that the Lotgering and van Stapele’s electronic configuration of Cu1+[Cr3+]2X1−X2−3 (X=S,Se and Te) is relevant.

► Critical properties of ferromagnet CuCr2Te4 was studied. ► Critical exponents β=0.369,γ=1.27,δ=4.73 around TC=326K are obtained. ► 3D-Heisenberg model is the best model.