Magnetic structure of Nd in NdFeAsO studied by x-ray resonant magnetic scattering
The magnetic structure of Nd in NdFeAsO compound has been explored by x-ray resonant magnetic scattering at the Nd L 2 edge ( E = 6.725 keV) at 1.7 ≤ T ≤ 15 K. At T = 1.7 K we find that the Nd moments are aligned along the crystallographic c direction with the (1, 0, 0) propagation vector, and are arranged antiferromagnetically along the a direction and ferromagnetically along the b and c directions. At 1.7 < T ≤ 15 K, we observe an unusual temperature dependence of the magnetic Bragg peaks that appear differently at Q = ( h , 0 , l ) and ( 0 , k , l ) . From the changes of magnetic intensities and our representation analysis, we find that the Nd moments are reoriented toward the a direction with a gradual decrease of the moment component in the c direction with increasing temperature. We postulate that the reorientation of the Nd moment is due to a strong interplay with the Fe moment which is fully ordered in this temperature range.