arXiv · 2201.01176
Magnetic structures of geometrically frustrated SrGd$_2$O$_4$ derived from powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction
Abstract
We present the low-temperature magnetic structures of SrGd$_2$O$_4$ combining neutron diffraction methods on polycrystalline and single-crystal samples containing the $^{160}$Gd isotope. In contrast to other members of the Sr$Ln_2$O$_4$ family ($Ln$ = lanthanide) this system reveals two long-range ordered magnetic phases, which our diffraction data unambiguously identify. Below $T_{\rm N1}$ = 2.73~K, a $\mathbf{q}_1$ = (0 0 0) magnetic structure is stabilized where ferromagnetic chains along the $c$~axis (space group $Pnam$) are coupled antiferromagnetically with neighboring chains. On cooling below $T_{\rm N2}$ = 0.48~K, an additional incommensurate component modulated by $\mathbf{q}_2$ = (0~0~0.42) evolves and aligned along either of the perpendicular axes for the two different Gd sites, resulting in a fan-like magnetic structure. The identification of the particular Gd sites with the magnetic order observed with neutron diffraction is facilitated by a detailed analysis of the crystal fields acting on the sites. The observed ordering phenomena underline the complex multiaxial anisotropy in this system.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
N. Qureshi, B. Z. Malkin, S. X. M. Riberolles, C. Ritter, B. Ouladdiaf, G. Balakrishnan, M. Ciomaga Hatnean, O. A. Petrenko. 2022-01-04. Magnetic structures of geometrically frustrated SrGd$_2$O$_4$ derived from powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.105.014425
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.