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Magnetostructural transitions in a frustrated magnet at high fields
V Tsurkan1, S Zherlitsyn, V Felea
1Experimental Physics 5, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|July 21, 2011
Summary
Bond-frustrated ZnCr(2)S(4) spinel exhibits distinct magnetostructural states under high magnetic fields. These states reveal a succession of crystallographic structures with constant stiffness, unlike other chromium spinels.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Spinel compounds like ZnCr(2)S(4) are known for their magnetic frustration properties.
- Understanding magnetostructural coupling is crucial for developing novel magnetic materials.
- Previous studies on chromium oxide spinels showed different magnetic field responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the magnetostructural properties of bond-frustrated ZnCr(2)S(4) spinel.
- To explore the material's behavior under extreme static and pulsed magnetic fields.
- To elucidate the relationship between spin structures and lattice transformations.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound velocity measurements were conducted in static magnetic fields up to 18 T.
- Magnetization studies were performed in pulsed magnetic fields up to 62 T.
- Analysis focused on the temperature dependence below the antiferromagnetic transition (T(N1)≈14 K).
Main Results:
- Sound velocity showed distinct steps and plateaus with increasing magnetic field, indicating successive crystallographic structures.
- Magnetization evolved continuously to full polarization, contrasting with plateau behavior in other spinels.
- High-field magnetostructural states were mapped in a magnetic field-temperature (H-T) phase diagram.
Conclusions:
- ZnCr(2)S(4) exhibits unique high-field magnetostructural states driven by field-induced lattice transformations.
- The material displays a complex interplay between coexisting spin structures and structural changes.
- Findings provide insights into the behavior of frustrated magnets under extreme conditions.
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