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Magnetic and crystal structures of Sr2IrO4: A neutron diffraction study

Feng Ye, Songxue Chi, Bryan C. Chakoumakos, Jaime A. Fernandez-Baca, Tongfei Qi, and G. Cao
Phys. Rev. B 87, 140406(R) – Published 22 April 2013

Abstract

We report a single-crystal neutron diffraction study of the layered Sr2IrO4. This work unambiguously determines the magnetic structure of the system and reveals that the spin orientation rigidly tracks the staggered rotation of the IrO6 octahedra in Sr2IrO4. The long-range antiferromagnetic order has a canted spin configuration with an ordered moment of 0.208(3) μB/Ir site within the basal plane; a detailed examination of the spin canting yields 0.202(3) and 0.049(2) μB/site for the a axis and the b axis, respectively. It is intriguing that forbidden nuclear reflections of space group I41/acd are also observed in a wide temperature range from 4 K to 600 K, which suggests a reduced crystal structure symmetry. This neutron-scattering work provides a direct, well-refined experimental characterization of the magnetic and crystal structures that are crucial to the understanding of the unconventional magnetism exhibited in this unusual magnetic insulator.

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  • Received 11 February 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.87.140406

©2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Feng Ye1,2, Songxue Chi1, Bryan C. Chakoumakos1, Jaime A. Fernandez-Baca1,3, Tongfei Qi2, and G. Cao2

  • 1Quantum Condensed Matter Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
  • 2Center for Advanced Materials, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, USA
  • 3Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA

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Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 14 — 1 April 2013

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