ISSN:
1434-6036
Keywords:
PACS. 75.25.+z Spin arrangements in magnetically ordered materials (including neutron and spin-polarized electron studies, synchrotron-source x-ray scattering, etc.) - 75.40.-s Critical-point effects, specific heats, short-range order - 61.12.Ld Single-crystal and powder diffraction
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract: ErCl3 crystallizes in the AlCl3-type layer structure. The crystal structure was refined in the paramagnetic state by powder neutron diffraction. The monoclinic lattice parameters at 1.5 K are a = 6.8040(3)Å, b = 11.7456(5)Å, c = 6.3187(3)Å and . The space group is C2/m. Short-range, predominantly in-plane, magnetic ordering occurs above 350 mK up to several Kelvin. Below mK a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic order with a propagation vector of sets in. The magnetic structure of ErCl3 was determined by powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction at temperatures down to 45 mK. The Er3+ ions are located on two-dimensional honeycomb layers in the a–b plane. There are two antiferromagnetically coupled triangular sublattices which form right- and left-handed helices along the c-axis. The magnetic moments are oriented in the a–b plane and amount to 3.3(1) at saturation. From the temperature dependence of the integrated neutron magnetic peak intensity a critical exponent (2) was derived for the magnetic phase transition.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s100510070075
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