Anisotropy of the paramagnetic susceptibility of NdGaO3 single crystals

The tensor of the paramagnetic susceptibility χ of NdGaO3 single crystals was determined with high accuracy in the temperature range of T = (5-300) K. A vibrating sample magnetometer was used to determine the three main χ tensor components in the diagonal form. Torquemetry was additionally employed as it especially allows for the characterization of small deviations from isotropy. In the (100) plane the anisotropy Δχ was found to be indeed small (about 0.1% at 300 K and 1% at 30 K). It changes nonmonotonically with T, and reverses its sign at 250 K. In the planes (010) and (001) Δχ is much stronger (about 5% at 300 K and 22% at 30 K). Around 100 K it also changes its sign. Our results allow determing the anisotropy Δχ for any desired crystal orientation and temperature (5 K < T < 300 K). Furthermore, the conditions for disappearing magnetic torque (Δχ = 0) are deduced.