No Arabic abstract
The magnetic structure of the mixed antiferromagnet NdMn$_{0.8}$Fe$_{0.2}$O$_3$ was resolved. Neutron powder diffraction data definitively resolve the Mn-sublattice with a magnetic propagation vector ${bf k} = (000)$ and with the magnetic structure (A$_x$, F$_y$, G$_z$) for 1.6~K~$< T < T_N (approx 59$~K). The Nd-sublattice has a (0, f$_y$, 0) contribution in the same temperature interval. The Mn sublattice undergoes spin-reorientation transition at $T_1 approx 13$~K while the Nd magnetic moment keep ordered abruptly increases at this temperature. Powder X-ray diffraction shows a strong magnetoelastic effect at $T_N$ but no additional structural phase transitions from 2~K to 300~K. Density functional theory calculations confirm the magnetic structure of the undoped NdMnO$_3$ as part of our analysis. Taken together, these results show the magnetic structure of Mn-sublattice in NdMn$_{0.8}$Fe$_{0.2}$O$_3$ is a combination of the Mn and Fe parent compounds, but the magnetic ordering of Nd sublattice spans over broader temperature interval than in case of NdMnO$_3$ and NdFeO$_3$. This result is a consequence of the fact that the Nd ions do not order independently, but via polarization from Mn/Fe sublattice.
In contrast to bulk materials, nanoscale crystal growth is critically influenced by size- and shape-dependent properties. However, it is challenging to decipher how stoichiometry, in the realm of mixed-valence elements, can act to control physical properties, especially when complex bonding is implicated by short and long-range ordering of structural defects. Here, solution-grown iron-oxide nanocrystals (NCs) of the pilot wustite system are found to convert into iron-deficient rock-salt and ferro-spinel sub-domains, but attain a surprising tetragonally distorted local structure. Cationic vacancies within chemically uniform NCs are portrayed as the parameter to tweak the underlying properties. These lattice imperfections are shown to produce local exchange-anisotropy fields that reinforce the nanoparticles magnetization and overcome the influence of finite-size effects. The concept of atomic-scale defect control in subcritical size NCs, aspires to become a pathway to tailor-made properties with improved performance for hyperthermia heating over defect-free NCs.
The magnetic ordering of La$_{1/3}$Sr$_{2/3}$FeO$_3$ perovskite has been studied by neutron powder diffraction and $^{57}$Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy down to 2 K. From symmetry analysis, a chiral helical model and a collinear model are proposed to describe the magnetic structure. Both are commensurate, with propagation vector k = (0,0,1) in R-3c space group. In the former model, the magnetic moments of Fe adopt the magnetic space group P3$_{2}$21 and have helical and antiferromagnetic ordering propagating along the c axis. The model allows only one Fe site, with a magnetic moment of 3.46(2) $mu_{rm{B}}$ at 2 K. In the latter model, the magnetic moments of iron ions adopt the magnetic space group C2/c or C2/c and are aligned collinearly. The model allows the presence of two inequivalent Fe sites with magnetic moments of amplitude 3.26(3) $mu_{rm{B}}$ and 3.67(2) $mu_{rm{B}}$, respectively. The neutron diffraction pattern is equally well fitted by either model. The Mossbauer spectroscopy study suggests a single charge state Fe$^{3.66+}$ above the magnetic transition and a charge disproportionation into Fe$^{(3.66-zeta)+}$ and Fe$^{(3.66+2zeta)+}$ below the magnetic transition. The compatibility of the magnetic structure models with the Mossbauer spectroscopy results is discussed.
Magnetic Tunnel Junctions whose basic element consists of two ferromagnetic electrodes separated by an insulating non-magnetic barrier have become intensely studied and used in non-volatile spintronic devices. Since ballistic tunnel of spin-polarized electrons sensitively depends on the chemical composition and the atomic geometry of the lead/barrier interfaces their proper design is a key issue for achieving the required functionality of the devices such as e.g. a high tunnel magneto resistance. An important leap in the development of novel spintronic devices is to replace the insulating barrier by a ferroelectric which adds new additional functionality induced by the polarization direction in the barrier giving rise to the tunnel electro resistance (TER). The multiferroic tunnel junction Co/PbZr$_{0.2}$Ti$_{0.8}$O$_{3}$/La$_{2/3}$Sr$_{1/3}$MnO$_3$ (Co/PZT/LSMO) represents an archetype system for which - despite intense studies - no consensus exists for the interface geometry and their effect on transport properties. Here we provide the first analysis of the Co/PZT interface at the atomic scale using complementary techniques, namely x-ray diffraction and extended x-ray absorption fine structure in combination with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and ab-initio calculations. The Co/PZT interface consists of one perovskite-type cobalt oxide unit cell [CoO$_{2}$/CoO/Ti(Zr)O$_{2}$] on which a locally ordered cobalt film grows. Magnetic moments (m) of cobalt lie in the range between m=2.3 and m=2.7$mu_{B}$, while for the interfacial titanium atoms they are small (m=+0.005 $mu_{B}$) and parallel to cobalt which is attributed to the presence of the cobalt-oxide interface layers. These insights into the atomistic relation between interface and magnetic properties is expected to pave the way for future high TER devices.
The crystal and magnetic structure of (La0.70Ca0.30)(CryMn1-y)O3 for y = 0.70, 0.50 and 0.15 has been investigated using neutron powder diffraction. The three samples crystallize in the Pnma space group at both 290 K and 5 K and exhibit different magnetic structures at low temperature. In (La0.70Ca0.30)(Cr0.70Mn0.30)O3, antiferromagnetic order with a propagation vector k = 0 sets in. The magnetic structure is Gx, i.e. of the G-type with spins parallel to the a-axis. On the basis of our Rietveld refinement and the available magnetisation data, we speculate that only Cr3+ spins order, whereas Mn4+ act as a random magnetic impurity. In (La0.70Ca0.30)(Cr0.50Mn0.50)O3 the spin order is still of type Gx, although the net magnetic moment is smaller. No evidence for magnetic order of the Mn ions is observed. Finally, in (La0.70Ca0.30)(Cr0.15Mn0.85)O3 a ferromagnetic ordering of the Mn spins takes place, whereas the Cr3+ ions act as random magnetic impurities with randomly oriented spins.
This paper presents results of a recent study of multiferroic CCO by means of single crystal neutron diffraction. This system has two close magnetic phase transitions at $T sub{N1}=24.2$ K and $T sub{N2}=23.6$ K. The low temperature magnetic structure below $T sub{N2}$ is unambiguously determined to be a fully 3-dimensional proper screw. Between $T sub{N1}$ and $T sub{N2}$ antiferromagnetic order is found that is essentially 2-dimensional. In this narrow temperature range, magnetic near neighbor correlations are still long range in the ($H,K$) plane, whereas nearest neighbors along the $L$-direction are uncorrelated. Thus, the multiferroic state is realized only in the low-temperature 3-dimensional state and not in the 2-dimensional state.