Magnetization-steps in Y2CoMnO6 double perovskite: The role of antisite disorder

Abstract: Mn4+-doped Y2MgTiO6 phosphors are synthesized by the traditional solid-state method. Powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer are employed to...

Abstract: Exchange bias effect in the ferromagnetic double perovskite compound Y2CoMnO6, which is also a multiferroic, is reported. The exchange bias, observed below 8 K, is explained as arising due to the interface effect between the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic clusters created by antisite disorder in this material. Below 8 K, prominent ferromagnetic hysteresis with metamagnetic “steps” and significant coercive field, Hc ≈ 10 kOe are observed in this compound which has a Tc ≈ 75 K. A model based on growth of ferromagnetic domains overcoming the elastic energy of structurally pinned magnetic interfaces, which closely resembles martensitic-like transitions, is adapted to explain the observed effects. The role of antisite disorder in creating the domain structure leading to exchange bias effect is highlighted in the present work.

Abstract: Exchange bias effect in the ferromagnetic double perovskite compound Y$_2$CoMnO$_6$, which is also a multiferroic, is reported. The exchange bias, observed below 8~K, is explained as arising due to the interface effect between the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic clusters created by {\it antisite} disorder in this material. Below 8~K, prominent ferromagnetic hysteresis with metamagnetic "steps" and significant coercive field, $H_c \approx$ 10~kOe are observed in this compound which has a $T_c \approx$ 75~K. A model based on growth of ferromagnetic domains overcoming the elastic energy of structurally pinned magnetic interfaces, which closely resembles martensitic-like transitions, is adapted to explain the observed effects. The role of {\it antisite} disorder in creating the domain structure leading to exchange bias effect is highlighted in the present work.

Abstract: Magnetic and dielectric properties of the double perovskite Ho2NiMnO6 are reported. The compound is synthesized by nitrate route and is found to crystallize in monoclinic P2(1)/n space group. Lattice parameters obtained by refining powder x-ray diffraction data are; a = 5.218(2)angstrom, b = 5.543(2)angstrom, c = 7.480(3)angstrom and the monoclinic angle i beta = 90.18 degrees(4). A phase transition is observed at T-C = 86 K in the temperature-dependent magnetization curve, M(T). The inverse magnetic susceptibility, (1/chi(T)) fits reasonably well with modified Curie-Weiss law by incorporating the paramagnetic response of Ho3+. 1/chi(T) manifests as an upward deviation from ideal Curie-Weiss behaviour well above the ferromagnetic transition. Signs of inherent Griffiths phase pertaining to the Ni/Mn subsystem are visible when one subtracts the Ho3+ paramagnetic contribution from total susceptibility and does the power-law analysis. The magnetic hysteresis at 2 K gives the maximum value of magnetization M-max approximate to 15 mu(B)/f. u. at 50 kOe. Field-derivative of magnetization at 2 K shows discontinuities which indicates the existence of metamagnetic transitions in this compound. This needs to be probed further. Out of the two dielectric relaxations observed, the one at low temperature may be attributed to phononic frequencies and that at higher temperature may be due to Maxwell-Wagner relaxation. A correlation between magnetic and lattice degrees of freedom is plausible since the anomaly in dielectric constant coincides with T-C.

Abstract: The structural, magnetic, electrical and dielectric properties of an Ir-based double perovskite compound, La2CoIrO6, have been investigated. The sample undergoes a paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition at TC, followed by a reentrant spin-glass transition at lower temperatures. The reentrant spin glass state in La2CoIrO6 is associated with the competitions of the antiferromagnetic coupling between Ir4+ and Co2+ ions and the ferromagnetic clusters. La2CoIrO6 shows a semiconducting transport behavior in the temperature range 65 to 360 K and the transport behavior can be well described by the three-dimensional Mott variable range hopping conduction mechanism. Moreover, a strong frequency dependence of dielectric constant behavior for La2CoIrO6 is observed and the dielectric relaxation can be ascribed to the electron hopping between different transition metal ions. In addition, the isothermal magnetic field dependent dielectric constant measurements show that a clear magnetodielectric coupling effect exists in La2CoIrO6 at low temperatures.

Abstract: A structure refinement method is described which does not use integrated neutron powder intensities, single or overlapping, but employs directly the profile intensities obtained from step-scanning measurements of the powder diagram. Nuclear as well as magnetic structures can be refined, the latter only when their magnetic unit cell is equal to, or a multiple of, the nuclear cell. The least-squares refinement procedure allows, with a simple code, the introduction of linear or quadratic constraints between the parameters.

Abstract: In spite of intrinsic limitations, neutron powder diffraction is, and will still be in the future, the primary and most straightforward technique for magnetic structure determination. In this paper some recent improvements in the analysis of magnetic neutron powder diffraction data are discussed. After an introduction to the subject, the main formulas governing the analysis of the Bragg magnetic scattering are summarized and shortly discussed. Next, we discuss the method of profile fitting without a structural model to get precise integrated intensities and refine the propagation vector(s) of the magnetic structure. The simulated annealing approach for magnetic structure determination is briefly discussed and, finally, some features of the program FullProf concerning the magnetic structure refinement are presented and discussed. The different themes are illustrated with simple examples.

Abstract: The application of thermal neutron scattering to the study of the structure and dynamics of condensed matter requires a knowledge of the scattering lengths and the corresponding scattering and absorption cross sections of the elements. Ln some cases, values for the individual isotopes are needed as well. This information is required to obtain an absolute normalization ofthe scatteredneutron distributions, tocalculate unit-cell structure factors in neutron crystallography, and to correct for effects such as absorption, self-shielding, extinction, multiple scattering, incoherent scattering, and detector efficiency.

Abstract: The theory of semicovalent exchange is reviewed and applied to the perovskite-type manganites $[\mathrm{La}, M(\mathrm{II})]\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. With the hypothesis of covalent and semicovalent bonding between the oxygen and manganese ions plus the mechanism of double exchange, detailed qualitative predictions are made about the magnetic lattice, the crystallographic lattice, the electrical resistivity, and the Curie temperature as functions of the fraction of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{4+}$ present. These predictions are found to be in accord with recent findings from neutron-diffraction and x-ray data as well as with the earlier experiments on this system by Jonker and van Santen.

Abstract: The relation between the symmetry of electron orbitals and superexchange interaction is discussed. It is shown that the sign of the superexchange interaction is closely connected with the cation orbital state, when the cation is subject to the crystalline field arising from octahedrally or tetrahedrally surrounding anions. In some cases, the sign of the superexchange interaction is definitely determined from the symmetry relations. The cases in which each cation is subject to an octahedral cubic field and the lines connecting the interacting cations to the intervening anion make an angle of either 180° or 90° are discussed in particular. Our discussion of the 180° case is applicable to crystals of the perovskite type and NaCl type and that of the 90° case to anhydrous chlorides. In the case where each cation is subject to a tetrahedral cubic field, there is a definite relation between the symmetry of the cation electron orbitals and superexchange interaction, if only the s -orbital of anion participates in the superexchange interaction. TiH 2 is an example of this case. The interaction between nearest-neighbor cations in the crystal of the NaCl type is also discussed.