Pressure effect on the magnetic order of LuFe2O4.

Authors :: Makarova, O. L.
Bourgeois, J.
Poienar, M.
Mirebeau, I.
Kichanov, S. E.
André, G.
Elkaim, E.
Hanfland, M.
Hervieu, M.
Maignan, A.
Haines, J.
Rouquette, J.
Martin, C.
Damay, F.
Source :: Applied Physics Letters. 8/19/2013, Vol. 103 Issue 8, p082907. 5p. 1 Diagram, 3 Charts, 3 Graphs.
Publication Year :: 2013
Abstract: The effects of applied external pressure on the low temperature crystal and magnetic structures of LuFe2O4 have been investigated by means of synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments in the range 0-3 GPa. Although the crystal structure is nearly rhombohedral at RT and ambient pressure, a marked monoclinic distortion is seen at low temperature, which increases with increasing pressure. In the magnetically ordered regime, the ordered magnetic moment value at 50 K decreases by up to 30% at 3 GPa, although no evidence for magnetic diffuse scattering can be inferred from the data. A tentative explanation is proposed, based on the delocalization of the magnetic moment, and possibly related with a melting of the charge ordered state in this pressure range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]