Development of a low-temperature insert for precise magnetization measurement below t = 2k with a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer

We have developed a 9-mm-diameter 3He insert for precise magnetization measurements below T = 2 K that is attachable to a commercial superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. The insert is made from a thin-walled stainless steel pipe with an inner diameter of 6.2 mm, which determines the maximum sample size. 3He gas is condensed in the pipe, which is liquefied by 4He gas at T ~1.8 K generated by the magnetometer via the heat exchanger of a Cu vacuum jacket with an outer diameter of 8.6 mm soldered to the stainless steel pipe. The temperature of the insert is decreased to T ~0.5 K by evacuating liquid 3He using a rotary pump and then to T = 0.36 K with a sorption pump. From the diamagnetization signal of a superconducting Al chip with a mass below 0.1 mg, the magnetization resolution with the insert is confirmed to be less than 10-7 emu. To examine the performance of the insert, we measured the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and magnetization for Pr0.6La0.4Ag2In down to T = 0.4 K.