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.
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