Exchange interactions in rare-earth iron garnets

Exchange parameters previously reported for YbIG, ErIG and EuIG are compared. One of the three possible sets of parameters found for ErIG is shown to agree fairly well with the EuIG parameters and can also be fitted using an exchange potential. Tentative exchange potential parameters associated with the two types of superexchange pathways which couple the rare-earth ion to neighboring iron ions are obtained. A new method for calculating the YbIG exchange parameters is described and the parameters are compared with those reported previously.