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We report the detailed study of the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in a dipolar-Heisenberg magnet LiGdF$_4$ using magnetization measurements performed on a single crystal sample. Entropy variation on isothermal demagnetization from the magnetic field up to 3 T is determined in the temperature range 2-10 K for two principal directions of the applied field (parallel and perpendicular to the tetragonal $c$-axis of the crystal). The MCE is found to be highly anisotropic, with the cooling efficiency being up to twice higher at $H\parallel c$. The results are nicely interpreted in the frame of a conventional molecular field approach taking into account considerable anisotropy of the paramagnetic Curie-Weiss temperature. These results are compared to earlier studies of MCE in powder samples of LiGdF$_4$ [T. Numazawa et al., AIP Conf. Proc. 850, 1579 (2006)] as well as with analogous data for other well known magnetocaloric materials. Our findings may open new possibilities to enhance the efficiency of magnetic refrigeration in the liquid helium-4 temperature range., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures

Low-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance measurements are performed on single crystals of LiY_{1-x}Gd_xF_4 with weak x=0.005 and moderate x=0.05 concentration of Gd ions. Modeling of the experimental spectra allows us to precisely determine microscopic parameters of the spin Hamiltonian of the parent LiGdF4 material, including the nearest-neighbor exchange constant. The obtained parameters are further tested by comparing a strongly anisotropic Curie-Weiss temperature obtained for LiGdF4 in our static magnetization measurements with theoretically computed values. We find a fine balance between principal magnetic interactions in LiGdF4, which results in a hidden magnetic frustration presumably leading to a delayed magnetic ordering and an enhanced magnetocaloric effect at low temperatures., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures

We present optical vector network analysis (OVNA) of an isotopically purified $^{166}$Er$^{3+}$:$^7$LiYF$_4$ crystal. The OVNA method is based on generation and detection of modulated optical sideband by using a radio-frequency vector network analyzer. This technique is widely used in the field of microwave photonics for the characterization of optical responses of optical devices such as filters and high-Q resonators. However, dense solid-state atomic ensembles induce a large phase shift on one of the optical sidebands which results in the appearance of extra features on the measured transmission response. We present a simple theoretical model which accurately describes the observed spectra and helps to reconstruct the absorption profile of a solid-state atomic ensemble as well as corresponding change of the refractive index in the vicinity of atomic resonances., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures

The six nanosized PrF3 samples were synthesized using two different chemical reactions and different time of hydrothermal reaction. The X-ray and HRTEM experiments showed high crystallinity of synthesized samples. For all samples the particles size distribution was obtained. It was shown, that precursors of chemical reaction have influence on the shape of synthesized nanoparticles. The size of nanoparticles depended on the time of hydrothermal reaction as much as roughly 10 nm per hour.

Two nanosized PrF3 samples were synthesized using two different procedures. The X-ray and HRTEM experiments showed high crystallinity of synthesized sample. Comparison of enhanced 141Pr NMR spectra of microsized (45 $\mu$m) and nanosized PrF3 powder is presented. Experimental data on spin kinetics of 3He in contact with PrF3 nanoparticles at T = 1.5 K are reported., Comment: submitted to JLTP

Predicted earlier, microcracks on the crystal surface of both finely dispersed $LiYF_4$ powders and single crystals of the Van Vleck paramagnet $% LiTmF_4$ were detected by using the NMR Cryoporometry and Atomic-Force Microscopy technique., Comment: 5 pages, 2 Postscript and 3 JPEG figures, LaTEX