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.
تحميل البحث