Date of Award

Summer 1958

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Friedrich, L. W.

Second Advisor

Greene, J. B.

Third Advisor

Cressman Paul J.

Abstract

In this research a study is made of the saturation magnetic moment of iron-osmium solid solutions, first as a function of temperature, and secondly, as a function of the atomic percent of osmium in iron. Solutions of iron with metals of the palladium and platinum group have been of considerable interest, since they lie directly below the iron group in the periodic table of the atoms. A study has been made of these solutions by Fallot in 1938. Since his low temperature data had to be extrapolated and there is some doubt about the purity of the materials he used, it was decided to investigate again the magnetic properties of osmium- iron solid solutions down to liquid helium temperature. Six iron-osmium samples were investigated within the temperature range of 4.2K. and 8OK. These samples included a pure iron sample and samples with 2%, 4. 4%, 7.4%, and two 10% osmiurn atoms in iron. A 5.51%. 7.17%. and an 8.28% sample were also investigated at room temperature. All percents indicated are atomic percents. The samples were obtained from the Argonne National Laboratory at Lemont, Illinois. The low temperature study did not yield any unexpected results. An anomaly did appear in the saturation magnetic moment as a function of atomic percent osmium in iron. This anomaly appeared when the percent of osmium in iron reached 4%. Annealing of the samples for several hours at 500°C. reduced the magnitude of the deviation from expected results but did not remove it. A considerable amount of difficulty was encountered in the experimental techniques at low temperatures. The problem of securing an adequate vacuum, of designing and fabricating a sensitive horizontal restraining spring, and of controlling the temperature were among the major difficulties encountered.

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