Magnetic order the iron spins in NdOFeAs

ORAL

Abstract

Polarized and unpolarized powder neutron-diffraction measurements have been carried out to investigate the iron magnetic order in the parent compound of one of the highest Tc system, NdFeAsO. Antiferromagnetic order is observed below 141 K [1], which is in close proximity to the structural distortion observed in this material [2]. The magnetic structure consists of chains of parallel spins that are arranged antiparallel between chains, which is the same in-plane spin arrangement as observed in all the other iron oxypnictide materials. Nearest-neighbor spins along the c axis are antiparallel like LaFeAsO [3]. The ordered moment is 0.25 (7) $\mu$B, which is the smallest ordered moment found so far in these systems. \\[3pt] [1]Ying Chen, J. W. Lynn, J. Li, G. Li, G. F. Chen, J. L. Luo, N. L. Wang, Pengcheng Dai, C. dela Cruz and H. A. Mook, Phys. Rev. B ${\bf{78}}$, 064515 2008. \\[0pt] [2]Y. Qiu, W. Bao, Q. Huang, T. Yildirim, J. M. Simmons, M. A. Green, J.W. Lynn, Y.C. Gasparovic, J. Li, T. Wu, G. Wu, and X.H. Chen, arXiv:0806.2195 (Phys. Rev. Lett. accepted). \\[0pt] [3] C. dela Cruz, Q. Huang, J. W. Lynn, J. Li, W. Ratcliff II, J. L. Zarestky, H. A. Mook, G. F. Chen, J. L. Luo, N. L. Wang, and P. Dai, Nature ${\bf{453}}$, 899 (2008).

Authors

  • Ying Chen

    • NCNR and Univ. of Maryland
    • NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST Center for Neutron Research, University of Maryland
  • J.W. Lynn

    • NCNR
  • J. Li

    • NCNR and Univ. of Maryland
  • G. Li

    • Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • G.F. Chen

    • Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • J.L. Luo

    • Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • N.L. Wang

    • Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Pengcheng Dai

    • Univ. of Tennessee \& ORNL
  • C. dela Cruz

    • Univ. of Tennessee \& ORNL
  • H.A. Mook

    • ORNL