Magnetization Process of Atacamite: A Case of Weakly Coupled S=1/2 Sawtooth Chains

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the mineral atacamite Cu_{2}Cl(OH)_{3}. Density-functional theory yields a Hamiltonian describing anisotropic sawtooth chains with weak 3D connections. Experimentally, we fully characterize the antiferromagnetically ordered state. Magnetic order shows a complex evolution with the magnetic field, while, starting at 31.5 T, we observe a plateaulike magnetization at about M_{sat}/2. Based on complementary theoretical approaches, we show that the latter is unrelated to the known magnetization plateau of a sawtooth chain. Instead, we provide evidence that the magnetization process in atacamite is a field-driven canting of a 3D network of weakly coupled sawtooth chains that form giant moments.

Neutron diffraction evidence for local spin canting, weak Jahn-Teller distortion, and magnetic compensation in Ti1-x Mn x Co2O4 spinel

A systematic study using neutron diffraction and magnetic susceptibility is reported on Mn substituted ferrimagnetic inverse spinel Ti_1-x Mn _x Co₂O₄ in the temperature interval 1.6 K [Formula: see text] T [Formula: see text] 300 K. Our neutron diffraction study reveals cooperative distortions of the TO₆ octahedra in the Ti_1-x Mn _x Co₂O₄ system for all the Jahn-Teller active ions T  =  Mn³⁺ , Ti³⁺ and Co³⁺ , having the electronic configurations 3d ¹, 3d ⁴ and 3d ⁶, respectively which are confirmed by the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Two specific compositions (x  =  0.2 and 0.4) have been chosen in this study because these two systems show unique features such as; (i) noncollinear Yafet-Kittel type magnetic ordering, and (ii) weak tetragonal distortion with c/a  <  1, in which the apical bond length d _c (T _B -O) is longer than the equatorial bond length d _ab (T _B -O) due to the splitting of the e _g level of Mn³⁺ ions into [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. For the composition x  =  0.4, the distortion in the T _B O₆ octahedra is stronger as compared to x  =  0.2 because of the higher content of trivalent Mn. Ferrimagnetic ordering in Ti_0.6Mn_0.4Co₂O₄ and Ti_0.8Mn_0.2Co₂O₄ sets in at 110.3 and 78.2 K, respectively due to the presence of unequal magnetic moments of cations, where Ti³⁺ , Mn³⁺ , and Co³⁺ occupy the octahedral, whereas, Co²⁺ sits in the tetrahedral site. For both compounds an additional weak antiferromagnetic component could be observed lying perpendicular to the ferrimagnetic component. The analysis of static and dynamic magnetic susceptibilities combined with the heat-capacity data reveals a magnetic compensation phenomenon (MCP) at T _COMP  =  25.4 K in Ti_0.8Mn_0.2Co₂O₄ and a reentrant spin-glass behaviour in Ti_0.6Mn_0.4Co₂O₄ with a freezing temperature of  ∼110.1 K. The MCP in this compound is characterized by sign reversal of magnetization and bipolar exchange bias effect below T _COMP with its magnitude depending on the direction of external magnetic field and the cooling protocol.

Complex Field-Induced States in Linarite PbCuSO4(OH)2 with a Variety of High-Order Exotic Spin-Density Wave States

Low-temperature neutron diffraction and NMR studies of field-induced phases in linarite are presented for magnetic fields H∥b axis. A two-step spin-flop transition is observed, as well as a transition transforming a helical magnetic ground state into an unusual magnetic phase with sine-wave-modulated moments ∥H. An effective J[over ˜]_{1}-J[over ˜]_{2} single-chain model with a magnetization-dependent frustration ratio α_{eff}=-J[over ˜]_{2}/J[over ˜]_{1} is proposed. The latter is governed by skew interchain couplings and shifted to the vicinity of the ferromagnetic critical point. It explains qualitatively the observation of a rich variety of exotic longitudinal collinear spin-density wave, SDW_{p}, states (9≥p≥2).

Electronic structure and nesting-driven enhancement of the RKKY interaction at the magnetic ordering propagation vector in Gd2PdSi3 and Tb2PdSi3

Measurements of the low-energy electronic structure in Gd2PdSi3 and Tb2PdSi3 by means of angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy reveal a Fermi surface consisting of an electron barrel at the Gamma point surrounded by spindle-shaped electron pockets originating from the same band. The calculated momentum-dependent RKKY coupling strength is peaked at the 1/2GammaK wave vector, which coincides with the propagation vector of the low-temperature in-plane magnetic order observed by neutron diffraction, thereby demonstrating the decisive role of the Fermi surface geometry in explaining the complex magnetic ground state of ternary rare earth silicides.

Patterning of sodium ions and the control of electrons in sodium cobaltate

Sodium cobaltate (Na(x)CoO2) has emerged as a material of exceptional scientific interest due to the potential for thermoelectric applications, and because the strong interplay between the magnetic and superconducting properties has led to close comparisons with the physics of the superconducting copper oxides. The density x of the sodium in the intercalation layers can be altered electrochemically, directly changing the number of conduction electrons on the triangular Co layers. Recent electron diffraction measurements reveal a kaleidoscope of Na+ ion patterns as a function of concentration. Here we use single-crystal neutron diffraction supported by numerical simulations to determine the long-range three-dimensional superstructures of these ions. We show that the sodium ordering and its associated distortion field are governed by pure electrostatics, and that the organizational principle is the stabilization of charge droplets that order long range at some simple fractional fillings. Our results provide a good starting point to understand the electronic properties in terms of a Hubbard hamiltonian that takes into account the electrostatic potential from the Na superstructures. The resulting depth of potential wells in the Co layer is greater than the single-particle hopping kinetic energy and as a consequence, holes preferentially occupy the lowest potential regions. Thus we conclude that the Na+ ion patterning has a decisive role in the transport and magnetic properties.