arXiv subjects

Erxi Feng

Publications and source records attributed to Erxi Feng.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Intermultiplet transitions and magnetic long-range order in Sm-based pyrochlores

We present bulk and neutron scattering measurements performed on the isotopically enriched $^{154}\mathrm{Sm_2Ti_2O_7}$ and $^{154}\mathrm{Sm_2Sn_2O_7}$ samples. Both compounds display sharp heat capacity anomalies, at 350 mK and 440 mK, respectively. Inelastic neutron scattering measurements are employed to determine the crystalline electric field (CEF) level scheme, which includes transitions between the ground-state and first excited $J$ multiplets of the $\mathrm{Sm}^{3+}$ ion. To further validate those results, the single-ion magnetic susceptibility of the compounds is calculated and compared with the experimental DC-susceptibility measured in low applied magnetic fields. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of intermultiplet transitions in the CEF analysis is fundamental to the understanding of the intermediate and, more importantly, low temperature magnetic behaviour of the Sm-based pyrochlores. Finally, the heat capacity anomaly is shown to correspond to the onset of an all-in-all-out long-range order in the stannate sample, while in the titanate a dipolar long-range order can be only indirectly inferred.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2018

Unusual double-peak specific heat and spin freezing in a spin-2 triangular lattice antiferromagnet FeAl$_{2}$Se$_{4}$

We report the properties of a triangular lattice iron-chalcogenide antiferromagnet FeAl$_{2}$Se$_{4}$. The spin susceptibility reveals a significant antiferromagnetic interaction with a Curie-Weiss temperature Θ$_{CW}$ ~ -200K and a spin-2 local moment. Despite a large spin and a large |Θ$_{CW}$|, the low-temperature behaviors are incompatible with conventional classical magnets. No long-range order is detected down to 0.4K. Similar to the well-known spin-1 magnet NiGa$_{2}$S$_{4}$, the specific heat of FeAl$_{2}$Se$_{4}$ exhibits an unusual double-peak structure and a T$^{2}$ power law at low temperatures, which are attributed to the underlying quadrupolar spin correlations and the Halperin-Saslow modes, respectively. The spin freezing occurs at ~ 14K, below which the relaxation dynamics is probed by the ac susceptibility. Our results are consistent with the early theory for the spin-1 system with Heisenberg and biquadratic spin interactions. We argue that the early proposal of the quadrupolar correlation and gauge glass dynamics may be well extended to FeAl$_{2}$Se$_{4}$. Our results provide useful insights about the magnetic properties of frustrated quantum magnets with high spins.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic Excitations in the Ground State of $\mathrm{Yb_2Ti_2O_7}$

We report an extensive study on the zero field ground state of a powder sample of the pyrochlore $\mathrm{Yb_2Ti_2O_7}$. A sharp heat capacity anomaly that labels a low temperature phase transition in this material is observed at 280 mK. Neutron diffraction shows that a \emph{quasi-collinear} ferromagnetic order develops below $T_\mathrm{c}$ with a magnetic moment of $0.87(2)μ_\mathrm{B}$. High resolution inelastic neutron scattering measurements show, below the phase transition temperature, sharp gapped low-lying magnetic excitations coexisting with a remnant quasielastic contribution likely associated with persistent spin fluctuations. Moreover, a broad inelastic continuum of excitations at $\sim0.6$ meV is observed from the lowest measured temperature up to at least 2.5 K. At 10 K, the continuum has vanished and a broad quasielastic conventional paramagnetic scattering takes place at the observed energy range. Finally, we show that the exchange parameters obtained within the framework of linear spin-wave theory do not accurately describe the observed zero field inelastic neutron scattering data.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Field-Driven Self-Assembly of Magnetite Nanoparticles Investigated Using Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

The magnetic-field-induced assembly of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) provides a unique and flexible strategy in the design and the fabrication of functional nanostructures and devices. We have investigated the field-driven self-assembly of core-shell magnetite NPs dispersed in toluene by means of in situ small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The form factor of the core-shell NPs was characterized and analyzed using SANS with polarized neutrons. Large-scale aggregation of magnetite NPs has formed above 0.02 T as indicated by very-small angle neutron scattering measurements. Three-dimensional long-range ordered superlattice of magnetite NPs was revealed under the application of moderate magnetic field. The crystal structure of the superlattice has been identified as a face-centered cubic one.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Magnetic structures and magnetoelastic coupling of Fe-doped hexagonal manganites LuMn1-xFexO3 (0 < x < 0.3)

We have studied the crystal and magnetic structures of Fe-doped hexagonal manganites LuMn1-xFexO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) by using bulk magnetization and neutron powder diffraction methods. The samples crystalize consistently in a hexagonal structure and maintain the space group P63cm from 2 to 300 K. The Néel temperature TN increases continuously with increasing Fe-doping. In contrast to a single Γ4 representation in LuMnO3, the magnetic ground state of the Fe-doped samples can only be described with a spin configuration described by a mixture of Γ3 (P63'cm') and Γ4 (P63'c'm) representations, whose contributions have been quantitatively estimated. The drastic effect of Fe-doping is highlighted by composition-dependent spin reorientations. A phase diagram of the entire composition series is proposed based on the present results and those reported in literature. Our result demonstrates the importance of tailoring compositions in increasing magnetic transition temperatures of multiferroic systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗