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Structural investigation of the bilayer iridate Sr_3Ir_2O_7

Abstract

A complete structural solution of the bilayer iridate compound Sr_3Ir_2O_7 presently remains outstanding. Previously reported structures for this compound vary and all fail to explain weak structural violations observed in neutron scattering measurements as well as the presence of a net ferromagnetic moment in the basal plane. In this paper, we present single crystal neutron diffraction and rotational anisotropy second harmonic generation measurements unveiling a lower, monoclinic symmetry inherent to Sr_3Ir_2O_7. Combined with density functional theory, our measurements identify the correct structural space group as No. 15 (C2/c) and provide clarity regarding the local symmetry of Ir^(4+) cations within this spin-orbit Mott material

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