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Abstract LiCrSe2 constitutes a recent valuable addition to the ensemble of two-dimensional triangular lattice antiferromagnets. In this work, we present a comprehensive study of the low temperature nuclear and magnetic structure established in this material. Being subject to a strong magnetoelastic coupling, LiCrSe2 was found to undergo a first order structural transition from a trigonal crystal system ( $$P\bar{3}m1$$ P 3 ¯ m 1 ) to a monoclinic one (C2/m) at T s = 30 K. Such restructuring of the lattice is accompanied by a magnetic transition at T N = 30 K. Refinement of the magnetic structure with neutron diffraction data and complementary muon spin rotation analysis reveal the presence of a complex incommensurate magnetic structure with a up-up-down-down arrangement of the chromium moments with ferromagnetic double chains coupled antiferromagnetically. The spin axial vector is also modulated both in direction and modulus, resulting in a spin density wave-like order with periodic suppression of the chromium moment along the chains. This behavior is believed to appear as a result of strong competition between direct exchange antiferromagnetic and superexchange ferromagnetic couplings established between both nearest neighbor and next nearest neighbor Cr3+ ions. We finally conjecture that the resulting magnetic order is stabilized via subtle vacancy/charge order within the lithium layers, potentially causing a mix of two co-existing magnetic phases within the sample.

The mixed valence Cr ^3+ /Cr ^4+ compound NaCr _2 O _4 , hosts a plethora of unconventional electronic properties. In the present study, muon spin rotation/relaxation ( $\mu^+$ SR) and high-resolution time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction measurements were carried out on high-quality samples to clarify the complex magnetic ground state of this unique material. We identified a commensurate canted antiferromagnetic order (C-AFM) with a canting angle of the Cr spin axial vector equal to $\theta_{\mathrm{c}} = (8.8\pm0.5)^{\circ}$ , and an estimated Cr moment $\mu^{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{Cr}} \sim (4.30\pm0.01)\mu_\mathrm{B}$ . Such an unusually large value of $\mu^{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{Cr}}$ is compatible with the existence of high-spin Cr sites created by the presence of an unconventional negative charge transfer state in NaCr _2 O _4 . In addition to the C-AFM structure, a novel magnetic supercell was also revealed. Such supercell display an incommensurate (IC)-AFM propagation vector (0 0 ${\textstyle \frac{1}{2}-}\delta$ ), having a Cr moment $\mu^{\mathrm{IC}}_{\mathrm{Cr}} = (2.20\pm0.03)\mu_\mathrm{B}$ . It is suggested that the C-AFM and IC-AFM modulations have two different electronic origins, being due to itinerant and localized contributions to the magnetic moment respectively. Finally, the direct measurement of the magnetic order parameter for the C-AFM structure provided a value of the critical exponent $\beta = 0.245 \approx \frac{1}{4}$ , suggesting a non conventional critical behavior for the magnetic phase transition in NaCr _2 O _4 .

Elemental analysis with muonic x-rays is one of the analytical methods to identify elements non-destructively. Since the energy of the muonic x-rays is almost 200 times higher than one of the fluorescent x-rays, light elements such as lithium can be identified. We have applied this technique to detection of metallic lithium deposition in a Li-ion battery, which prevents from promoting the recovery and reuse of used batteries. Since the capture ratio of muon by lithium in metallic lithium is enormously higher than one in anode, it is possible to detect metallic lithium with high sensitivity by the technique. This technique is being developed to be also used in factories and yards during the industrial processes with portable accelerators for muons, which will promote the recovery and reuse of Li-ion batteries in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]