Interplay between Fe and Nd magnetism in NdFeAsO single crystals
ORAL
Abstract
Millimeter-sized NdFeAsO single crystals were grown out of NaAs flux and characterized by ac-susceptibility, magnetization, electrical resistivity, and specific heat measurements. The microscopic nature of the observed phase transitions has been determined by neutron scattering experiments at BT9, NIST, Gathersburg, and high-resolution x-ray diffraction studies. The tetragonal-to-orthorhombic lattice distortion is followed by the reported antiferromagnetic ordering of the Fe moments. At low-temperatures, the onset of the antiferromagnetic order of the Nd moments is accompanied with a rearrangement of the Fe moments. The observed phase transitions underline a complex coupling between the Fe and Nd magnetism. -- The work at the Ames Laboratory was supported by the US DOE, Office of Science, under contract No. DE-AC02-07CH11358.
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