Powder samples of Fe1-xCuxCr2S4 with x = 0,0.2,0.5,0.8 were studied, between 5 and 300 K. The results reveal that for x < 1, the magnetic order in the series is more varied than the simple collinear ferrimagnetic structure traditionally assumed to exist everywhere from the Curie point to T → 0. In FeCr2S4 several ordered magnetic phases are present, with the ground state likely to have an incommensurate cone-like helical structure. Fe0.8Cu0.2Cr2S4 is the compound for which simple collinear ferrimagnetism is best developed. In Fe0.5Cu0.5Cr2S4 the ferrimagnetic spin structure is not stable, causing spin reorientation around 90 K. In Fe0.2Cu0.8Cr2S4 the ferrimagnetic structure is at low temperatures considerably distorted locally, but with rising temperature this disorder shows a rapid reduction, coupled to increased spin fluctuation rates. In summary, the present data show that the changes induced by the replacement of Fe by Cu have more profound influences on the magnetic properties of the Fe1-xCuxCr2S4 compounds than merely a shift of Curie temperature, saturation magnetization and internal field magnitude.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/25/18/186001DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

magnetism chromium
4
chromium thio-spinels
4
thio-spinels fe1-xcuxcr2s4
4
fe1-xcuxcr2s4 studied
4
studied muon
4
muon spin
4
spin rotation
4
rotation relaxation
4
relaxation powder
4
powder samples
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!