Analysis on an abnormal behavior of magnetization in neodymium trifluoride at low temperatures

► MS of NdF3 drops with decreasing temperatures in high magnetic fields. ► A two-sublattice model used to reveal the abnormal behavior. ► The exchange interaction and light irradiation affect on magnetic properties in NdF3. An abnormal phenomenon is experimentally found that the saturation magnetization in NdF3 drops with decreasing temperatures in high magnetic fields by Guillot. In this paper, by studying the magnetic and magneto-optical properties, a thorough explanation is presented by a two-sublattice model. Our theory points out that the abnormal magnetic behavior mainly originates from the vibration of the exchange interaction between two Nd sublattices in NdF3. And, the saturation characteristic of magnetization is theoretically explored at different temperatures under extremely high magnetic fields. Meanwhile, the magnetic moments of the two sublattices A and B are discussed. Based on the conclusions of the magneto-optical experiments, it further implies that light irradiation can affect the magnetic properties in NdF3. And, the corresponding physical mechanism is revealed.