Magnetic properties of the solid solution (Y1-xGdx)(2)BaCuO5 (0 <= x <= 1)

Magnetic properties of the (Y1-xGdx)(2)BaCuO5 solid solution with 0 less th an or equal to x less than or equal to 1 have been investigated by DC magne tization and electron spin resonance (ESR). These compounds were found to c rystallize with orthorhombic symmetry, Pnma space group, for the whole rang e of Gd3+ content. The cell parameters increase continuously with x, in agr eement with the Y3+ substitution by the larger Gd3+ ions. In contrast with the x = 0 and 1 members of the series, magnetization data for 0 < x < 1 sho w paramagnetic behavior down to 1.7 K. From the total effective moment mu(e ff) as a function of x, the Gd3+ and Cu2+ contributions were estimated to b e mu(Gd) = 8.06(9) mu(B) and mu(Cu) = 2.0(5) mu(B). The ESR resonant held H -R and linewidth Delta H-PP increase monotonically with Gd3+ content. For s amples with x less than or equal to 0.10, the onset of short-range interact ions from the 2D Cu2+ sublattice is observed at T-S approximate to 21 K. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.