Nanometric modulations of the magnetic structure of the element Nd
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The rare earth neodymium arguably exhibits the most complex magnetic ordering and series of magnetic phase transitions of the elements. Here we report the results of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements as a function of temperature and applied magnetic field to study magnetic correlations on nanometer length scales in Nd. We support these results with additional neutron diffraction , thermodynamic and synchrotron x-ray measurements. The SANS measurements reveal the presence of modulation vectors characterizing the ordered spin configuration which exhibit changes in magnitude and direction that are phase dependent. Between 5.9 and 7.6 K an additional modulation vector is observed with magnitude Q = 0.12 Å −1 . This scattering appears to originate from order of the Nd layers which contain a center of inversion. Tracking this modulation vector as a function of magnetic field indicates a phase boundary at ≈ 1 T. The modulation vectors observed in this study establish the presence of nanometer length scale spin textures which are likely stabilized by frustrated Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) interactions.
Source: Materials Today Quantum
Authors: H. Suriya Arachchige, L.M. DeBeer-Schmitt, L.L. Kish, Binod K. Rai, A.F. May, D.S. Parker, G. Pokharel, Wei Tian, Matthew B. Stone, Matthias Frontzek, D.G. Mandrus, M. Bleuel, Z. Islam, G. Fabbris, H.X. Li, S. Gao, H. Miao, S.M. Thomas, P.F.S. Rosa, J.D. Thompson, Shi-Zeng Lin, A.D. Christianson
Institutions: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Savannah River National Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST Center for Neutron Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Argonne National Laboratory, Advanced Photon Source, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,700
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Battelle, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, UT-Battelle, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Office of Science, National Nuclear Security Administration, Basic Energy Sciences, Laboratory Directed Research and Development, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Awards: G1017065088, G1019100964, G102163711, G1026679911, G107546177, G121915436, G1279347439, G1286251239, G1313983767, G1527848044, G1645119126, G1664757510, G166562317, G184384695, G203625172, G2287611682, G2356915424, G262962599, G2988778103, G2998698001, G3075337988, G3094441217, G313676650, G3137353516, G3248584790, G3318903820, G3448829509, G426311843, G4423657506, G498139845, G5387317844, G556563932, G560771542, G5726405315, G574648691, G5807515702, G5840121450, G6410514744, G6563880843, G675320460, David Mandrus Materials Synthesis Investigator, G6848031779, G6918803902, David Mandrus Materials Synthesis Investigator Award, G7583137537, G7631180099, G788322952, G7977574923, G807938293, G816254390, G8269158468, G8286507625, G8906985441, G8927650245, G8943143067, G969889393, G993149817
OpenAlex ID: W4402737717