Neutron scattering investigation of magnetic phases in Mn$_3$O$_4$ with field applied away from the easy axis

ORAL

Abstract

Mn$_3$O$_4$ is an orbitally ordered, magnetically frustrated spinel with strong spin-lattice coupling, which exhibits a series of low temperature magnetic and structural transitions. Recent data shows that the structural phases are radically different with \textbf{H} applied perpendicular to the easy-axis. With the current understanding of the magneto-structural coupling in this material, this data suggests the possibility of a field-tuned quantum phase transition into a tetragonal spin-disordered phase with T=0 spin frustration. In order to probe the field-direction dependence of the magnetic phase, we have performed elastic neutron scattering measurements of the magnetic properties of Mn$_3$O$_4$ with applied field at several different angles to the easy axis. We will present data suggesting that the field-temperature phase diagram of this material is radically altered by varying the applied field direction.

*This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under award number DE-FG02-07ER46453.

Authors

  • Alexander Thaler

    • U. of Illinois
    • University of Illinois - Urbana
    • Univ of Illinois - Urbana
  • Alexander Zakjevski

    • University of Illinois - Urbana
  • Brian Nguyen

    • Univ of Illinois - Urbana
    • University of Illinois - Urbana
  • Yewon Gim

    • Department of Physics and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
    • University of Illinois - Urbana
  • Anne Farwick

    • Xavier University
  • Adam Aczel

    • Quantum Condensed Matter Division, ORNL
    • Quantum Condensed Matter Division, ORNL, USA
    • QCMD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Quantum Condensed Matter Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Lance Cooper

    • Univ of Illinois - Urbana
    • University of Illinois - Urbana
    • University of Illinois
  • Greg MacDougall

    • U. of Illinois
    • University of Illinois - Urbana
    • Univ of Illinois - Urbana
    • University of Illinois