The impact of hydrostatic pressure, nonstoichiometry, and doping on trimeron lattice excitations in magnetite during axis switching

Trimeron lattice excitations in magnetite, in the form of the $c$ axis switching at temperatures below the Verwey temperature $T_V$, is presented based on magnetization experiments. Few parameters, switching field $B_{sw}$, energy density needed to switch the axis $E_{sw}$, and activation energy $U$, are observed as a function of magnetite doping (with Zn, Al and Ti), nonstoichiometry and hydrostatic pressure ($p < 1.2$ GPa). It is shown that doping/nonstoichiometry drastically increase the switching field, activation and switching energies, while pressure lowers $B_{sw}$. Based on these and also on $p$ impact on $U$ (pressure lowers $U$ for Zn doped magnetite, but slightly increases it for stoichiometric sample) we conclude that the trimeron manipulation in the process of axis switching and mechanisms leading to the Verwey transition are not the same. Finally, we observe some change of magnetic anisotropy in magnetite at pressure $p > 0.8$ GPa.