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arXiv · 2208.07019

Magneto-elastic coupling in a sinusoidal modulated magnet Cr$_2$GaN

Abstract

We use neutron powder diffraction to investigate the magnetic and crystalline structure of Cr$_2$GaN. A magnetic phase transition is identified at $T \approx 170$ K, whereas no trace of structural transition is observed down to 6 K. Combining Rietveld refinement with irreducible representations, the spin configuration of Cr ions in Cr$_2$GaN is depicted as an incommensurate sinusoidal modulated structure characterized by a propagating vector ${k}$=(0.365, 0.365, 0). Upon warming up to the paramagnetic state, the magnetic order parameter closely resembles to the temperature dependence of $c$-axis lattice parameter, suggesting strong magneto-elastic coupling in this compound. Therefore, Cr$_2$GaN provides a potential platform for the exploration of magnetically tuned properties such as magnetoelectric, magnetostrictive and magnetocaloric effects, as well as their applications.

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Huican Mao, Yufeng Li, Qingyong Ren, Mihai Chu, Helen E. Maynard-Casely, Franz Demmel, Devashibhai Adroja, Hai-Hu Wen, Yinguo Xiao, Huiqian Luo. 2022-08-15. Magneto-elastic coupling in a sinusoidal modulated magnet Cr$_2$GaN. https://doi.org/10.1088/0256-307x%2F39%2F9%2F097501

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