Zero fieldμ ⁺ spin relaxation in some REAl₂ intermetallics

Abstract

Transverse field measurements on the rare-earths intermetallics REAl₂ in their paramagnetic regime have previously been carried out [1]. To aid discrimination between inhomogeneous line broadening and RE fluctuations which both contribute to the damping of the transverseμSR pattern, we have carried out zero field measurements on three selected compounds (PrAl₂, GdAl₂, DyAl₂) between 300 and 25 K. A small longitudinal decoupling field (6 mT) was applied in some cases. The present data corroborate the findings of the transverse field study: The polarization rate increases rapidly when approaching magnetic order. The high temperature limit of the spin fluctuation rate is markedly different in the three compounds. Theμ ⁺ diffuses rapidly in all REAl₂ compounds.