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Néel ordering in the distorted honeycomb pyrosilicate: C-Er2Si2O7
Gavin Hester1, T N DeLazzer1, S S Lim1
1Department of Physics, Colorado State University, 200 W. Lake St., Fort Collins, CO 80523-1875, United States of America.
Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|December 22, 2020
Summary
The rare-earth pyrosilicate C-Er2Si2O7 exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering at 2.3 K. Neutron diffraction reveals a collinear Néel state with a canted magnetic moment, offering insights into rare-earth magnetism.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Rare-earth pyrosilicates (RE2Si2O7) encompass diverse polymorphs with potential for complex magnetic structures.
- Many rare-earth compounds with honeycomb lattices remain underexplored regarding their magnetic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ground state magnetic properties of C-Er2Si2O7.
- To characterize the magnetic ordering and structure in this rare-earth pyrosilicate.
Main Methods:
- Specific heat measurements to detect magnetic transitions.
- DC susceptibility measurements for magnetic ordering analysis.
- Neutron powder diffraction to determine magnetic structure and moment.
Main Results:
- Antiferromagnetic ordering observed at 2.3 K via specific heat and susceptibility.
- Neutron diffraction confirmed the 2.3 K transition and revealed a collinear Néel state.
- An ordered magnetic moment of 6.61 μB was determined, canted 13° from the c-axis towards the a-axis.
Conclusions:
- C-Er2Si2O7 orders antiferromagnetically with a specific magnetic structure.
- The findings provide a detailed magnetic characterization of this rare-earth compound.
- Results are contextualized with isostructural quantum dimer magnets like Yb2Si2O7.
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