Three-sublattice analyses on magnetic and magneto-optical properties of scandium substituted ytterbium iron garnet in high magnetic fields

Abstract A three-sublattice model is applied to study the magnetic properties of scandium substituted ytterbium iron garnet (Sc-YbIG). The magnetic moments in three magnetic sublattices ( a , c and d sites) in Sc-YbIG are analyzed, where the diamagnetic Sc 3+ ions substitute for octahedral Fe 3+ ions. The parameters α i ( i = a , c , d ), associated with the exchange field and the magnetic susceptibility, are introduced. Here, α i show obvious high magnetic field-dependent and temperature-dependent properties. Based on the thought of three magnetic sublattices, the magneto-optical properties in Sc-YbIG, as magnetic field applied along [1 0 0], [1 1 0] and [1 1 1] directions, at low temperatures are studied by an improved magneto-optical four-level model, where the physical mechanism of magneto-optical anisotropy is explored in low magnetic fields. Our theory is in good agreement with the experimental results.