The magnetic phase of the perovskite CaCrO3_3 studied with μ+\mu^{+}SR

We investigated the magnetic phase of the perovskite CaCrO$_3$ by using the muon spin relaxation technique accompanied by susceptibility measurements. A thermal hysteresis loop is identified with a width of about 1 K at the transition temperature. Within the time scale of the muon lifetime, a static antiferromagnetic order is revealed with distinct multiple internal fields which are experienced in the muon interstitial sites below the phase-transition temperature, $T_N=90 K$. Above $T_N$, lattice deformations are indicated by transverse-field muon-spin rotation and relaxation suggesting a magneto-elastic mechanism.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in PR

The magnetic structure of the zigzagzigzag chain family Nax_{x}Ca1−x_{1-x}V2_2O4_4 determined by muon-spin rotation

We present muon-spin rotation measurements on polycrystalline samples of the complete family of the antiferromagnetic (AF) $zigzag$ chain compounds, Na$_x$Ca$_{1-x}$V$_2$O$_4$. In this family, we explore the magnetic properties from the metallic NaV$_2$O$_4$ to the insulating CaV$_2$O$_4$. We find a critical $x_c(\sim0.833)$ which separates the low and high Na-concentration dependent transition temperature and its magnetic ground state. In the $x<x_c$ compounds, the magnetic ordered phase is characterized by a single homogenous phase and the formation of incommensurate spin-density-wave order. Whereas in the $x>x_c$ compounds, multiple sub-phases appear with temperature and $x$. Based on the muon data obtained in zero external magnetic field, a careful dipolar field simulation was able to reproduce the muon behavior and indicates a modulated helical incommensurate spin structure of the metallic AF phase. The incommensurate modulation period obtained by the simulation agrees with that determined by neutron diffraction.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in PR

Electron localization into spin-polaron state in MnSi

Strong electron localization into a bound state has been found in both paramagnetic and ferromagnetic states of the transition metal compound MnSi by muon spin-rotation spectroscopy in magnetic fields up to 7 T and from 2 K to room temperature. This bound state, with a characteristic radius R≈0.4 nm and net spin S=24±2, is consistent with confinement of the electron’s wave function within roughly one lattice cell of MnSi and is suggested to be a spin polaron. Such spin polarons may form due to a strong exchange interaction between itinerant electrons and the magnetic electrons of Mn ions of the same 3d type; as such, they might affect the peculiar electronic and magnetic properties of MnSi

The Herbertsmithite Hamiltonian: μ\muSR measurements on single crystals

We present transverse field muon spin rotation/relaxation measurements on single crystals of the spin-1/2 kagome antiferromagnet Herbertsmithite. We find that the spins are more easily polarized when the field is perpendicular to the kagome plane. We demonstrate that the difference in magnetization between the different directions cannot be accounted for by Dzyaloshinksii-Moriya type interactions alone, and that anisotropic axial interaction is present.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, accepted to JPCM special issue on geometrically frustrated magnetis

The Magnetic Phase of Lithium Transition Metal Phosphates LiMPO4 (M=Mn, Co, Ni) Detected by μ+SR

AbstractThe magnetic properties of the olivine-type compounds LiMPO4 (M = Mn, Co, Ni) are probed using muon spin rotation/relaxation (μSR). These materials pose an appealing magnetic structure and a high -potential technological interest as cathode materials for future rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The LiMPO4 family of compounds consists of a corner-sharing MO6 octahedra of high-spin M2+ ions manifesting an antiferromagnetic ground state below TN ≈ 30K. Additionally, these compounds belong to a class of materials exhibiting properties between two-and three dimensional systems. A comparative study between the family members is presented

Static magnetic order in Na0.75_{0.75}CoO2_2 detected by muon spin rotation and relaxation

The nature of the magnetic transition of the Na-rich thermoelectric Na$_{0.75}$CoO$_2$ at 22K was studied by positive muon-spin-rotation and relaxation ($\mu^+$SR) spectroscopy, using a polycrystalline sample in the temperature range between 300 and 2.5 K. Zero field $\mu$SR measurements indicated the existence of a static internal magnetic field at temperatures below 22 K (= $T_{\rm m}$). The observed muon spin precession signal below $T_{\rm m}$ consisted of three components with different precession frequencies, corresponding to three inequivalent muon$^+$ sites in the Na$_{0.75}$CoO$_2$ lattice. The total volume fraction of the three components was estimated as $\sim$21% at 2.5 K; thus, this magnetic transition was not induced by impurities but is an intrinsic change in the magnetism of the sample, although the sample was magnetically inhomogeneous otherwise. On the other hand, a similar experiment on a Na$_{0.65}$CoO$_2$ sample exhibited no magnetic transition down to 2.5 K; which indicates that the average valence of the Co ions is responsible for inducing the magnetic transition at 22 K.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, Phys. Rev. B 68 (2003) in pres