Magnetic Field Effect on Sound Propagation in Antiferromagnets

Abstract

On the basis of the theory of phase transitions, a model describing anomalies of sound attenuation coefficient close to the antiferromagnet-paramagnet phase transition in magnetic field was developed. The scaling behaviour of the sound velocity and attenuation coefficient was determined. The physical origin of the two-peak structure in the field dependent ultrasound attenuation observed in a number of antiferromagnets was identified. The theoretical results were compared with experimental results obtained for terbium.