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Spin–glass transition in La{sub 0.75}Sr{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.5}Cr{sub 0.5−x}Al{sub x}O{sub 3−δ} perovskites

Graphical abstract: In-phase and out-of-phase ac susceptibility measurements at the magnetic field 1000 Oe show the shifting of transition temperature with frequency (i.e. spin–glass transition) in La{sub 0.75}Sr{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.5}Cr{sub 0.3}Al{sub 0.2}O{sub 3−δ}. - Highlights: • Spin–glass transition at low temperature (around 50 K). • Al-doping decreases the antiferromagnetic transition temperature. • Ferromagnetic around room temperature. - Abstract: The structural and magnetic properties of the Al-doped La{sub 0.75}Sr{sub 0.25}Mn{sub 0.5}Cr{sub 0.5−x}Al{sub x}O{sub 3−δ} (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. Rietveld refinement of the diffraction data confirms that the compounds crystallize in rhombohedral symmetry (space group, R-3C). Unit cell volume decreases with increasing concentration of Al at the B-site. Upon cooling from room temperature, we have observed multiple magnetic phase transitions, i.e. paramagnetic (PM), ferromagnetic (FM), antiferromagnetic (AFM) and spin–glass (SG), in the samples. A low temperature magnetic hysteresis study demonstrates the presence of ferromagnetic domains for all compositions. The antiferromagnetic transition temperature decreases with the Al-doping AC susceptibility measurements at 97 Hz and 1 Oe show SG behaviors with a spin-freezing temperature close to 50 K for all samples. The in-phase ac susceptibility (χ{sup /}) decreases in magnitude and spin–glass transition (T{sub SG}) increase toward higher temperature with increasing frequency. The spin–glass behavior accompanied by the anomalous magnetic transitions is due to the competing interactions between FM and AFM. The results also shows that a part of the samples lose magnetic order to form a SG state accompanied by an AFM state at low temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Rapid Microwave Preparation and Composition Tuning of the High-Performance Magnetocalorics (Mn,Fe) 2 (P,Si)

Rapid preparation utilizing assisted microwave heating permits significantly shorter preparation times for magnetocaloric compounds in the (Mn,Fe) 2 (P,Si) family, specifically samples of (Mn,Fe) 2–δ P 0.5 Si 0.5 with starting compositions of δ = 0, 0.06, and 0.12. To fully understand the effects of processing and composition changes on structure and properties, these materials are characterized using synchrotron powder diffraction, neutron powder diffraction, electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and magnetic measurements. The diffraction analysis reveals that increasing δ results in decreasing amounts of the common Heusler (Mn,Fe) 3 Si secondary phase. EMPA shows (Mn,Fe) 2 (P,Si) in all three samples to be Mn and P rich, whereas XRF demonstrates that the bulk material is Mn rich yet P deficient. Increasing δ brings the Mn/Fe and P/Si ratios closer to their starting values. Measurements of magnetic properties show an increase in saturation magnetization and ordering temperature with increasing δ, consistent with the increase in Fe and Si contents. Increasing δ also results in a decrease in thermal hysteresis and an increase in magnetic entropy change. We note the latter reach values close to what have been previously reported on samples that take much longer to prepare.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Molecular Insight into Fluorocarbon Adsorption in Pore Expanded Metal–Organic Framework Analogs

The rapid growth in the global energy demand for space cooling requires the development of more efficient environmental chillers for which adsorption-based cooling systems can be utilized. Here, in this contribution, we explore sorbents for chiller use via a pore-engineering concept to construct analogs of the 1-dimensional pore metal–organic framework MOF-74 by using elongated organic linkers and stereochemistry control. The prepared pore-engineered MOFs show remarkable equilibrium adsorption of the selected fluorocarbon refrigerant that is translated to a modeled adsorption-based refrigeration cycle. To probe molecular level interactions at the origin of these unique adsorption properties for this series of Ni-MOFs, we combined in situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, neutron powder diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared techniques, and molecular simulations. Our results reveal the coordination of fluorine (of CH2F in R134a) to the nickel(II) open metal centers at low pressures for each Ni-MOF analog and provide insight into the pore filling mechanism for the full range of the adsorption isotherms. The newly designed Ni-TPM demonstrates exceptional R134a adsorption uptake compared to its parent microporous Ni-MOF-74 due to larger engineered pore size/volume. The application of this adsorption performance toward established chiller conditions yields a working capacity increase for Ni-TPM of about 400% from that of Ni-MOF-74, which combined with kinetics directly correlates to both a higher coefficient of performance and a higher average cooling capacity generated in a modeled chiller.

Zheng, Jian↗

Development of MnBi permanent magnet: Neutron diffraction of MnBi powder

MnBi attracts great attention in recent years for its great potential as permanent magnet materials. MnBi phase is difficult to obtain because of the rather drastic peritectic reaction between Mn and Bi. In this paper, we report our effort on synthesizing high purity MnBi compound using conventional powder metallurgical approaches. Neutron diffraction was carried out to investigate the crystal and nuclear structure of the obtained powder. The result shows that the purity of the obtained powder is about 91 wt. % at 300 K, and the magnetic moment of the Mn atom in MnBi lattice is 4.424 and 4.013 μ{sub B} at 50 K and 300 K, respectively.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Noncollinear spin structure in F e 3 + x C o 3 – x T i 2 ( x = 0 , 2 , 3 ) from neutron diffraction

Neutron powder diffraction has been used to investigate the spin structure of the hard-magnetic alloy Fe 3+x Co 3–x Ti 2 (x = 0,2,3). The materials are produced by rapid quenching from the melt, they possess a hexagonal crystal structure, and they are nanocrystalline with crystallite sizes D of the order of 40 nm. Projections of the magnetic moment onto both the crystalline c axis and the basal plane were observed. The corresponding misalignment angle exhibits a nonlinear decrease with x, which we explain as a micromagnetic effect caused by Fe-Co site disorder. As a result, the underlying physics is a special kind of random-anisotropy magnetism that leads to the prediction of 1/ D 1/4 power-law dependence of the misalignment angle on the crystallite size.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A new theory for X-ray diffraction

By considering the scattering distributed throughout space, there is an intensity enhancement at the Bragg angle even when the Bragg condition is not satisfied. This leads to an alternative explanation for the diffraction from powders and small crystals. This article proposes a new theory of X-ray scattering that has particular relevance to powder diffraction. The underlying concept of this theory is that the scattering from a crystal or crystallite is distributed throughout space: this leads to the effect that enhanced scatter can be observed at the ‘Bragg position’ even if the ‘Bragg condition’ is not satisfied. The scatter from a single crystal or crystallite, in any fixed orientation, has the fascinating property of contributing simultaneously to many ‘Bragg positions’. It also explains why diffraction peaks are obtained from samples with very few crystallites, which cannot be explained with the conventional theory. The intensity ratios for an Si powder sample are predicted with greater accuracy and the temperature factors are more realistic. Another consequence is that this new theory predicts a reliability in the intensity measurements which agrees much more closely with experimental observations compared to conventional theory that is based on ‘Bragg-type’ scatter. The role of dynamical effects (extinction etc.) is discussed and how they are suppressed with diffuse scattering. An alternative explanation for the Lorentz factor is presented that is more general and based on the capture volume in diffraction space. This theory, when applied to the scattering from powders, will evaluate the full scattering profile, including peak widths and the ‘background’. The theory should provide an increased understanding of the reliability of powder diffraction measurements, and may also have wider implications for the analysis of powder diffraction data, by increasing the accuracy of intensities predicted from structural models.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The Change of X‐ray Diffraction Peak Width During in situ Conventional Sintering of Nanoscale Powders

Diffraction peaks of nanoscale particles of 3 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia become sharper as the powder sinters. The reduction in the peak width is correlated with the increase in density. The sharpening of the peak agrees reasonably well with the remaining free surface area as the sample sinters. Therefore, high curvature of the free surface of the pores is assumed to lead to peak broadening (the grain boundaries that grow at the expense of the free surfaces of the pores do not have this curvature). The change in the grain size during sintering does not make a significant contribution to peak width.

Lebrun, Jean‐Marie↗

Crystal structure of α- and β-Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7}: From Rietveld refinement using powder neutron diffraction data

The crystal structures of α- and β-Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} have been determined from neutron powder diffraction. At 293 K, the compound α-Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} has a monoclinic unit cell, space group P2{sub 1}/a, with a=12.7617(14) Å, b=7.8384(10) Å, c=6.8962(9) Å, β=111.285(9)°, and Z=4. At 773 K, β-Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} is also monoclinic, space group C2/m, with a=12.933(1) Å, b=7.887(1) Å, c=6.9086(8) Å, β=110.816(10)°, and Z=4. The structures can be described by layers U{sub 2}O{sub 7}{sup 2−} built from corner linked deformed UO{sub 6} octahedra with pentagonal UO{sub 7} bipyramids in between linked with common edges to each other and to the octahedra. The Na atoms occupy the interlayer space. The Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} layers are similar as in K{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7}, but with a different stacking sequence of the layers. The layers in β-Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} are more symmetric. The relationship with the compounds A{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} (A=K, Rb, and Cs) is discussed. - Graphical abstract: The U{sub 2}O{sub 7} layer of α-Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} (left) at 293 K and of β-Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} (right) at 773 K determined by neutron diffraction. Some Na atoms between the layers are visible. - Highlights: • Na{sub 2}U{sub 2}O{sub 7} has been prepared by means of a solid state reaction. • The structure has been determined using neutron diffraction. • At 293 K, the compound adopts a monoclinic structure with space group P2{sub 1}/a. • The structure at 773 K is closely related, and is described in the space group C2/m.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Investigating Quantum Materials with Half-Polarized Diffraction and magnetic PDF analysis at the HB-2A Neutron Powder Diffractometer

Local magnetic ordering and anisotropy is often central to the emergent behavior and subsequent functional properties in quantum materials and beyond. Neutron powder diffraction provides a straightforward yet extremely powerful technique for quantitative measurements of microscopic magnetic properties. The HB-2A powder diffractometer located at the High Flux Isotope Reactor in ORNL is traditionally utilized for long-range magnetic structure determination. Recently these capabilities have been extended to include methods aimed at accessing local magnetism: Half- polarized neutron powder diffraction (pNPD) and magnetic pair distribution function (mPDF) analysis. These two distinct techniques are possible on HB-2A due to the versatility of the instrument’s reciprocal space coverage, resolution and novel ultra-low temperature multi-sample changers that operate down to dilution refrigerator temperatures. This provides unique capabilities not found on any powder diffraction instrument and is particularly well suited to investigations of magnetic quantum materials. The development and implementation of these techniques will be discussed with a series of science case examples ranging from geometric frustrated magnets to magnetic metal-organic frameworks. Data reduction and analysis tools will be presented that enable the extraction of the local site susceptibility tensor and local spin-spin correlations in real space. Finally, potential combinations of these techniques in the form of half-polarized magnetic pair distribution function (pmPDF) analysis will be considered. Looking forward, HB-2A is undergoing a detector upgrade that will be in the user program by 2026. This will offer an order of magnitude increase in count rates to further aid the development of these often low signal measurements and provide new scientific capabilities.

Neutron Scattering↗

The ionic conductivity and local environment of cations in Bi{sub 9}ReO{sub 17}

The influence of temperature on the structure of Bi{sub 9}ReO{sub 17} has been investigated using differential thermal analysis, variable temperature X-ray diffraction and neutron powder diffraction. The material undergoes an order-disorder transition at {approx}1000 K on heating, to form a fluorite-related phase. The local environments of the cations in fully ordered Bi{sub 9}ReO{sub 17} have been investigated by Bi L{sub III}- and Re L{sub III}-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements to complement the neutron powder diffraction information. Whereas rhenium displays regular tetrahedral coordination, all bismuth sites show coordination geometries which reflect the importance of a stereochemically active lone pair of electrons. Because of the wide range of Bi-O distances, EXAFS data are similar to those observed for disordered structures, and are dominated by the shorter Bi-O bonds. Ionic conductivity measurements indicate that ordered Bi{sub 9}ReO{sub 17} exhibits reasonably high oxide ion conductivity, corresponding to 2.9x10{sup -5} {Omega}{sup -1} cm{sup -1} at 673 K, whereas the disordered form shows higher oxide ion conductivity (9.1x10{sup -4} {Omega}{sup -1} cm{sup -1} at 673 K). - Graphical abstract: The structure of Bi{sub 9}ReO{sub 17} is discussed and related to the ionic conductivity of the ordered and disordered forms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crystal and magnetic structures and physical properties of a new pyroxene NaMnGe2O6 synthesized under high pressure

A new pyroxene NaMnGe2O6 has been synthesized at 3 GPa and 800 C, and fully characterized by x-ray single-crystal diffraction and neutron powder diffraction, measurements of magnetization and specific heat. Like other majority sodium pyroxenes, NaMnGe2O6 crystallizes into a monoclinic C2/c structure with unit-cell parameters a = 9.859(2) , b = 8.7507(18) , c = 5.5724(11) , and =105.64(3) at room temperature. The crystal structure is featured by quasi-one-dimensional chains of skew edge-sharing MnO6 octahedra running along the crystallographic c axis; these chains are connected by non-magnetic GeO4 tetrahedra, so as to lead to a low-dimensional magnetism. The highly distorted MnO6 octahedron consisting of three Mn-O bond lengths, i.e. 1.918 , 1.991 , and 2.198 , is consistent with the Jahn-Teller effect at Mn3+ in a cubic crystal field. A long-range cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion is formed by ordering longest Mn-O bonds between two neighboring octahedra along the chain direction. No orbital order-disorder transition has been found up to 750 K as checked by magnetic susceptibility. Like other alkali-metal pyroxenes with S > , NaMnGe2O6 (S = 2) was found to undergo a long-range antiferromagnetic ordering at TN = 7 K at low magnetic field due to the exchange interactions along and between chains. Due to the peculiar structural features and the corresponding magnetic coupling, the weak AF spin ordering gives way to a ferromagnetic-like state at a sufficiently high magnetic field. Specific-heat measurements demonstrated that a large portion of the magnetic entropy, i.e. > 60 %, has been removed above TN as a result of strong spin correlations within the quasi-one-dimensional Mn3+-spin chains. Neutron powder diffraction study suggests a commensurate magnetic structure defined by k = [0 0 0.5] with Mn moments aligned along the c axis. The present study on NaMnGe2O6 completed the evolution of magnetic properties as a function of the d-orbital occupancy from d1 to d5 in the magnetic pyroxenes.

Yan, Jiaqiang↗

Control of the superconducting properties of Sr{sub 2−x}Ca{sub x}VO{sub 3}FeAs through isovalent substitution

The effect of the isovalent substitution of Sr{sup 2+} by Ca{sup 2+} on the structure and superconducting properties of Sr{sub 2−x}Ca{sub x}VO{sub 3}FeAs is described in the compositional range 0≤x≤0.5. SQUID magnetometry measurements reveal that after an initial increase in T{sub c}, which is maximised at 29.5 K in Sr{sub 1.95}Ca{sub 0.05}VO{sub 3}FeAs, a rapid suppression of superconductivity is observed with increasing x. XANES spectra of Sr{sub 2−x}Ca{sub x}VO{sub 3}FeAs collected on the Fe and V absorption K-edges show that the position of both edges are invariant with composition within the experimental uncertainty. A combination of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and neutron powder diffraction techniques is used to rationalise the observed changes in T{sub c} with x, in terms of changes to the structure of the FeAs layer upon partial Ca substitution. These findings demonstrate that superconductivity in the Fe-based superconductors is extremely sensitive to the crystal structure with T{sub c} maximised in samples with regular FeAs{sub 4}-tetrahedra. - Graphical abstract: Superconducting transition temperature is controlled by structural parameters in Sr{sub 2−x}Ca{sub x}VO{sub 3}FeAs. - Highlights: • Substitution of Sr by Ca in the superconductor Sr{sub 2}VO{sub 3}FeAs is isovalent. • Relationship between superconducting T{sub c} and structural parameters is demonstrated. • Linear dependence of T{sub c} on structural parameters rather than composition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Highly Efficient Proton Conduction in the Metal–Organic Framework Material MFM-300(Cr)·SO 4 (H 3 O) 2

The development of materials showing rapid proton conduction with a low activation energy and stable performance over a wide temperature range is an important and challenging line of research. Here, we report confinement of sulfuric acid within porous MFM-300(Cr) to give MFM-300(Cr)·SO 4 (H 3 O) 2 , which exhibits a record-low activation energy of 0.04 eV, resulting in stable proton conductivity between 25 and 80 °C of >10 –2 S cm –1 . In situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXPD), neutron powder diffraction (NPD), quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation reveal the pathways of proton transport and the molecular mechanism of proton diffusion within the pores. Confined sulfuric acid species together with adsorbed water molecules play a critical role in promoting the proton transfer through this robust network to afford a material in which proton conductivity is almost temperature-independent.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Crystal structure of Cu2Zn(GexSi1−x)Se4 solid solution: the kesterite to wurtz–kesterite structural phase transition

Developing low-cost, sustainable, and environmentally friendly top absorber layers for tandem solar cells is essential to advancing photovoltaic technologies and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. In this work, we explore the potential of tetravalent (Cu2Zn(GexSi1−x)Se4) cation mutations in chalcogenide compound semiconductors with the aim of finding a material with increased band gap and reduced structural disorder. A combination of high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction and neutron powder diffraction was used to determine the atomic positions and monoclinic angles in monoclinic wurtz–kesterite type Cu2Zn(GexSi1−x)Se4 mixed crystals as well as to determine the cation distribution in the crystal structure of Ge-rich kesterite-type and Si-rich wurtz–kesterite type mixed crystals. These investigations enabled us to deduce the structural transition scenario within the Cu2Zn(GexSi1−x)Se4 series. The transition occurs via a region where two phases with different crystal structures, tetragonal and monoclinic and thus a different distortion of the coordination tetrahedra, but the same cation distribution within the element specific cation sites co-exist. Thus, the structural transition between the kesterite and the wurtz–kesterite structure within the Cu2Zn(GexSi1−x)Se4 series is a distortion driven transition. The study identifies cation mutation in quaternary chalcogenides as a promising strategy beyond chalcopyrites and kesterites for low cost and environmentally friendly top absorbers in tandem solar cells.

Gurieva, Galina [Helmholtz Center Berlin for Mater↗

Tunable multiferroic order parameters in S r 1 - x B a x M n 1 - y T i y O 3

Responding to the rapidly increasing demand for efficient energy usage and increased speed and functionality of electronic and spintronic devices, multiferroic oxides have recently emerged as key materials capable of tackling this multifaceted challenge. In this paper, we describe the development of single-site manganese-based multiferroic perovskite materials with modest amounts of nonmagnetic Ti substituted at the magnetic Mn site in Sr 1-x Ba x Mn 1-y Ti y O 3 (SBMTO). Significantly enhanced properties were achieved with ferroelectric-type structural transition temperatures boosted to ~430 K. Ferroelectric distortions with large spontaneous polarization values of ~30 mu C cm 2 , derived from a point charge model, are similar in magnitude to those of the prototypical nonmagnetic BaTiO 3 . Temperature dependence of the system's properties was investigated by synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction and neutron powder diffraction at ambient and high pressures. Various relationships were determined between the structural and magnetic properties, Ba and Ti contents, and T N and T C . Most importantly, our results demonstrate the large coupling between the magnetic and ferroelectric order parameters and the wide tunability of this coupling by slight variations of the material's stoichiometry.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Cd(II)-coordination polymers based on tetracarboxylic acid and diverse bis(imidazole) ligands: Synthesis, structural diversity and photoluminescence properties

Three new Cd(II)-coordination polymers, namely, ([Cd{sub 2}(μ{sub 6}-ao{sub 2}btc)(μ-1,5-bipe){sub 2}]·2H{sub 2}O){sub n} (1), ([Cd{sub 2}(μ{sub 6}-ao{sub 2}btc)(μ-1,4-bix){sub 2}]{sub n}·2DMF) (2) and ([Cd{sub 2}(μ{sub 8}-abtc)(μ-1,4-betix)]·DMF·H{sub 2}O){sub n} (3) (ao{sub 2}btc=di-oxygenated form of 3,3′,5,5′-azobenzenetetracarboxylate, 1,5-bipe: 1,5-bis(imidazol-1yl)pentane, 1,4-bix=1,4-bis(imidazol-1ylmethyl)benzene, 1,4-betix=1,4-bis(2-ethylimidazol-1ylmethyl)benzene) were synthesized with 3,3′,5,5′-azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid and flexible, semi-flexible and semi-flexible substituted bis(imidazole) linkers. They were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffractions (PXRD) and thermal analyses (TG/DTA). Complexes 1–3 exhibited structural diversities depending on flexible, semi-flexible and semi-flexible substituted bis(imidazole) ligands. Complex 1 was 2D structure with 3,6L18 topology. Complex 2 had a 3D pillar-layered framework with the rare sqc27 topology. When semi-flexible substituted bis(imidazole) linker was used, 3D framework of complex 3 was obtained with the paddlewheel Cd{sub 2}(CO{sub 2}){sub 4}-type binuclear SBU. Moreover, thermal and photoluminescence properties of the complexes were determined in detailed. - Graphical abstract: In this study, three novel Cd(II)-coordination polymers were synthesized with 3,3′,5,5′-azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid and flexible, semi-flexible and semi-flexible substituted bis(imidazole) linkers. They were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffractions (PXRD) and thermal analyses (TG/DTA). Complexes 1–3 exhibited structural diversities depending on flexible, semi-flexible and semi-flexible substituted bis(imidazole) ligands. Complex 1 was 2D structure with 3,6L18 topology. Complex 2 had a 3D pillar-layered framework with the rare sqc27 topology. When semi-flexible substituted bis(imidazole) linker was used, 3D framework of complex 3 was obtained with the paddlewheel Cd{sub 2}(CO{sub 2}){sub 4}-type binuclear SBU. - Highlights: • Three new Cd(II)-coordination polymers with azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid and diverse bis(imidazole) linkers. • Complex 1 is 2D structure with 3,6L18 topology. • 3D pillar-layered framework of 2 with the rare sqc27 topology. • 3D framework of 3 with the paddlewheel Cd{sub 2}(CO{sub 2}){sub 4}-type SBU.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural and magnetic study of RFe{<_0.5}V{<_0.5}O{<_3} (R = Y, Eu, Nd, La) perovskite compounds.

B-site disordered RFe{sub 0.5}V{sub 0.5}O{sub 3} compounds, with R=La, Nd, Eu and Y, have been prepared by solid-state reaction technique and their structures and magnetic properties have been investigated through X-ray powder diffraction, time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements at temperatures ranging from 5 to 700 K. The four compounds can be described as distorted perovskites with space group symmetry Pbnm and a{sup +}b{sup -}b{sup -} tilt system. The studied compounds also show antiferromagnetic ordering with Neel temperatures of 299, 304, 304, and 335 K respectively. The magnetic structures of R=La, Nd and Y compounds were determined from the neutron powder diffraction as Gz with observed magnetic moments of 2.55, 2.54 and 2.69 {mu}{sub B} at 30, 40 and 40 K, respectively.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Magnetic properties of the Ising-like rare earth pyrosilicate: D-Er 2 Si 2 O 7

Ising-like spin-1/2 magnetic materials are of interest for their ready connection to theory, particularly in the context of quantum critical behavior. In this work we report detailed studies of the magnetic properties of a member of the rare earth pyrosilicate family, D-Er 2 Si 2 O 7 , which is known to display a highly anisotropic Ising-like g-tensor and effective spin-1/2 magnetic moments. We used powder neutron diffraction, powder inelastic neutron spectroscopy (INS), and single crystal AC susceptibility to characterize its magnetic properties. Neutron diffraction enabled us to determine the magnetic structure below the known transition temperature (T N = 1.9 K) in zero field, confirming that the magnetic state is a four-sublattice antiferromagnetic structure with two non-collinear Ising axes, as was previously hypothesized. Our powder INS data revealed a gapped excitation at zero field, consistent with anisotropic (possibly Ising) exchange. An applied field of 1 T produces a mode softening, which is consistent with a field-induced second order phase transition. To assess the relevance of D-Er 2 Si 2 O 7 to the transverse field Ising model, we performed AC susceptibility measurements on a single crystal with the magnetic field oriented in the direction transverse to the Ising axes. This revealed a transition at 2.65 T at 0.1 K, a field significantly higher than the mode-softening field observed by powder INS, showing that the field-induced phase transitions are highly field-direction dependent as expected. Furthermore, these measurements suggest that D-Er 2 Si 2 O 7 may be a candidate for further exploration related to the transverse field Ising model.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗