In this chapter, we will restrict our attention to the ferrites and a few other closely related materials. The great interest in ferrites stems from their unique combination of a spontaneous magnetization and a high electrical resistivity. The observed magnetization results from the difference in the magnetizations of two non-equivalent sub-lattices of the magnetic ions in the crystal structure. Materials of this type should strictly be designated as “ferrimagnetic” and in some respects are more closely related to anti-ferromagnetic substances than they are to ferromagnetics in which the magnetization results from the parallel alignment of all the magnetic moments present. We shall not adhere to this special nomenclature except to emphasize effects, which are due to the existence of the sub-lattices.

Ferromagnetic materials

Magnetic skyrmions are topologically stable spin swirls with a particle-like character and are potentially suitable for the design of high-density information bits. Although most known skyrmion systems arise in non-centrosymmetric systems with a Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, centrosymmetric magnets with a triangular lattice can also give rise to skyrmion formation, with a geometrically frustrated lattice being considered essential in this case. Until now, it remains an open question if skyrmions can also exist in the absence of both geometrically frustrated lattice and inversion symmetry breaking. Here we discover a square skyrmion lattice state with 1.9 nm diameter skyrmions in the centrosymmetric tetragonal magnet GdRu2Si2 without a geometrically frustrated lattice by means of resonant X-ray scattering and Lorentz transmission electron microscopy experiments. A plausible origin of the observed skyrmion formation is four-spin interactions mediated by itinerant electrons in the presence of easy-axis anisotropy. Our results suggest that rare-earth intermetallics with highly symmetric crystal lattices may ubiquitously host nanometric skyrmions of exotic origins. Experimental realizations of magnetic skyrmions, particle-like spin swirls with topological protection, so far have required inversion symmetry breaking or a geometrically frustrated lattice. In centrosymmetric GdRu2Si2, in which a geometrically frustrated lattice is absent, a skyrmion lattice phase emerges, which is probably stabilized by four-spin interactions mediated by itinerant electrons in the presence of easy-axis anisotropy.

Nanometric square skyrmion lattice in a centrosymmetric tetragonal magnet

A very small capacitive sensor for measuring thermal expansion and magnetostriction of small and irregular shaped samples has been developed. A capacitive method with tilted plates is used. The tilted plate capacitance formula is used for the calculation of the capacitor gap, the calibration is performed by measuring the signal of a standard material. The active length of the sample can be less than 1 mm. The absolute resolution is about 1 A. All mechanical connections of the dilatometer are carried out by tiny Cu–Be springs, enabling the small force on the sample to be adjusted (50–500 mN) and no additional sample fixing is necessary. The cell has been tested in the temperature range 0.3–200 K and in static magnetic fields up to 15 T. The zero signal of the dilatometer has been determined by measuring a silver sample. The correct operation and reproducibility has been verified by measuring the thermal expansion of Cu. The thermal expansion and magnetostriction of a DyCu2 single crystal has been determined. The advantage of this method compared to specific heat measurements is that a large temperature range can be covered with one equipment. This high static and dynamic range of sample length, temperature, and magnetic field suggests a number of possible applications, like the investigation of crystal field effects on the magnetoelastic properties of single crystals or structural phase transitions.

https://www2.cpfs.mpg.de/~rotter/homepage_dilatometer/rotter98_2742.pdf

A miniature capacitance dilatometer for thermal expansion and magnetostriction

Neutron diffraction study of CeMn2Ge2, PrMn2Ge2 and NdMn2Ge2: evidence of dominant antiferromagnetic components within the (001) Mn planes in ferromagnetic ThCr2Si2-type manganese ternary compounds

Nobuo Iwata

Papers

Magnetic phase transitions in PrCo2Si2

Exchange interaction and magnetocrystalline anisotropy in GdMn2Ge2

Magnetic characteristics of TbMn2Si2

Magnetic properties of LaMn2Ge2 single crystal

Magnetic phase transitions and magnetization process in PrCo2Si2