The magnetic properties of Pr in the Pb2Sr2PrCu3O8+delta cuprate

Inelastic and elastic neutron scattering data on Pb2Sr2PrCu3O8+delta are pr esented. Magnetic ordering of the Pr moments is found to be analogous to th e Tb analogue, interpreted with two different wave vectors k = 0 0 0 and 0 0 1/2. A molecular field-induced shift is observed in the low-energy inelas tic neutron scattering (INS) data when going through the Neel temperature. This shift is quantitatively accounted for by the magnetic order of the Pr sublattice. The crystalline-electric-field (CEF) potential has been determi ned from the observed magnetic excitations and is compared with those of Pr in other cuprates. These results underline the relevance of the quasi-trip let ground state splitting for T-c suppression by Pr in the cuprate superco nductors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.