Preparation and Properties of CdCr2S4 Single Crystals

Single crystals of chalcogenide chromium spinel CdCr2S4 (ferromagnet, TC ≈ 80 K) have been grown from a solution in a melt. The morphology, local elemental composition, and microstructure elements of the crystals are studied by scanning electron microscopy. All crystals have a composition close to stoichiometric. A study of their magnetic properties in the temperature range of 5–300 K in a constant (100 Oe) and/or alternating (100, 1000, and 10000 Hz) magnetic field show that CdCr2S4 has a number of features that are considered a hallmark of spin glasses.