ABSTRACT
The modulated crystal structure and modulated magnetic ordering of the multiferroic CaCu(x)Mn(7-x)O(12) is studied by analysing neutron and synchrotron-radiation (SR) powder diffraction data with a model based on the magnetic superspace group R31'(00γ)ts. Both atomic position modulations and magnetic modulations are described with the modulation vector (0, 0, q). The magnetic ordering is a screw-type circular helix where the magnetic moments are perpendicular to the c direction. The temperature dependence of the modulation vector length and the ordered magnetic moments of Mn(3+) and Mn(4+) ions is given between T = 50 K and the Néel temperature T(N) is approximately equal to 90 K. The atomic position modulation length L(p) and the magnetic modulation length L(m) fulfil the relation L(m) = 2L(p) at all temperatures between 50 K and T(N).
ABSTRACT
Low temperature atomic position modulations and magnetic moment modulations are reported for CaCu(x)Mn(7 - x)O(12) (x = 0.0, 0.1 and 0.23) using neutron powder diffraction. Both modulations are described with propagation vectors (0, 0, q) parallel to the c-axis in the hexagonal setting. The present neutron diffraction studies confirm the quantitative model describing the atomic position modulations in CaCu(x)Mn(7 - x)O(12) (x = 0.0 and 0.1) as derived from synchrotron based powder x-ray diffraction studies (Slawinski et al 2009 Acta Crystallogr. B 65 535). Neutron diffraction studies confirm the relation between the atomic position modulation length L(p) and the magnetic modulation length L(m) = 2L(p) between 50 K and the Néel temperature T(N). CaCu(x)Mn(7 - x)O(12) (x = 0.1 and 0.23) shows a magnetic phase transition near 50 K associated with considerable changes of the magnetic modulation length and the magnetic coherence length, similar to that observed in the parent CaMn(7)O(12).
ABSTRACT
The modulation of atomic positions in CaCu(x)Mn(7-x)O12 (x = 0 and 0.1) was studied using synchrotron radiation powder diffraction below 250 and 220 K, respectively. The copper-rich member CaCu(x)Mn(7-x)O12 (x = 0.23) does not show any modulation of the atomic positions at temperatures as low as 10 K. Using low-temperature neutron powder diffraction the modulation of the magnetic moments of Mn ions in CaCu(x)Mn(7-x)O12 (x = 0, 0.1 and 0.23) has been investigated. Long-range modulated magnetic ordering in CaCu(x)Mn(7-x)O12 (x = 0, 0.1 and 0.23) is observed below 90.4, 89.2 and 78.1 K. (0,0,q(p)) and (0,0,q(m)) are the propagation vectors describing the modulations of the atomic positions and the magnetic moments. For CaCu(x)Mn(7-x)O12 (x = 0 and 0.1) the magnetic modulation and atomic modulation lengths are related by a factor of 2 satisfying the relation (1-q(p)) = 2(1-q(m)).
ABSTRACT
The parameters of the crystal structure of BiFeO(3), described within the space group R3c, have been determined by high-resolution neutron powder diffraction for temperatures from 293 to 923 K. It was found that there is a local minimum for the rhombohedral angle alpha(rh), near the Néel temperature T(N) approximately 640 K, a gradual rotation of the FeO(6) octahedra and an increase of the Fe-O-Fe angle. The displacement of the Bi(3+) ions from the FeO(6) octahedra which influence the electric polarization decreases with temperature. One of the Bi-Fe distances also has a local maximum near T(N). The atomic vibrations of Bi(3+) and O(2-) ions show a significant anisotropy.
