Physics – Condensed Matter – Materials Science
Scientific paper
2009-06-18
Physics
Condensed Matter
Materials Science
9 figures
Scientific paper
The crystal and magnetic structures of the S = 3/2 chain antiferromagnet beta-CaCr2O4 have been investigated by means of specific heat, magnetization, muon relaxation and neutron powder diffraction between 300K and 1.5K. Owing to the original topology of the Cr3+ magnetic lattice, which can be described as a network of triangular ladders, equivalent to chains with nearest and next-nearest neighbors interactions, evolution of the magnetic scattering intensity in this compound evidences two magnetic regimes : for 21K < T < 270K, a low-dimensionality magnetic ordering of the Cr3+ spins is observed, simultaneously with a strong contraction of the ladder legs, parallel to c. Below TN = 21K, a complex antiferromagnetic ordering is evidenced, with an incommensurate propagation vector k = (0, 0, q) (q ~ 0.477 at 1.5K), as exchange interactions between ladders become significant. This complex magnetic ordering can be described as a honeycomb-like arrangement of cycloids, running along c, with staggered chiralities. The experimental observation of this staggered chirality can be understood by taking into account antisymmetric Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya exchange terms.
André Gilles
Chapon Laurent C.
Damay Francoise
Giblin Sean R.
Hardy Vincent
No associations
LandOfFree
Zig-zag ladders with staggered magnetic chirality in S = 3/2 compound beta-CaCr2O4 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Zig-zag ladders with staggered magnetic chirality in S = 3/2 compound beta-CaCr2O4, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Zig-zag ladders with staggered magnetic chirality in S = 3/2 compound beta-CaCr2O4 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-725634