Magnetic order in perovskite Pr1-xBaxCoO3 studied by magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy

Magnetic properties have been studied for the perovskite Pr1-xBaxCoO3 (0 le ss than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.5). Ferromagnetic order is ob served below similar to 190K for x greater than or equal to 0.2 in de susce ptibility-temperature curves. Magnetic circular dichroism spectra were meas ured for a ferromagnetic phase at Co-L-2,L-3, Pr-M-4,M-5, Ba-M-4,M-5, and O -K edges. It is revealed that the Co ion has both spin and orbital moments. It is also observed that the Ba 4f orbitals have a localized moment and ex hibit ferromagnetic order at low temperatures, though Ba2+ is expected to b e almost only in a nonmagnetic 4f(0) state, Magnetic order is observed also for Pr 4f and O 2p. (C) 2000 Academic Press.