B vs. T phase diagram of (ND$_{\mathbf{4}}${)}$_{\mathbf{2}}${[FeCl}$_{\mathbf{5}}${(D}$_{\mathbf{2}}${O)] studied by neutron diffraction and magnetization}

ORAL

Abstract

(NH$_{4})_{2}$[FeCl$_{5}$(H$_{2}$O)] was recently discovered to exhibit magnetically induced multiferroicity with a rich magnetic field versus temperature (B vs. T) phase diagram. In a previous zero-field study we reported the coexistence of both incommensurate and commensurate ``electronic soft'' phases in (NH$_{4})_{2}$[FeCl$_{5}$(H$_{2}$O)] due to strong magnetic frustration and spin-lattice coupling. Here we report neutron diffraction and magnetization studies under applied magnetic field on deuterated (ND$_{4})_{2}$[FeCl$_{5}$(D$_{2}$O)] single crystals. Our measurements show that the presence of the coexistence of competing phases has profound effects to the macroscopic properties of this molecular compound. Our results reveal new novel phases in the B vs. T phase diagram of (NH$_{4})_{2}$[FeCl$_{5}$(H$_{2}$O)].

*1Research conducted at ORNL's High Flux Isotope Reactor was sponsored by the Scientific User Facilities Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U. S. Department of Energy.

Authors

  • Wei Tian

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Huibo Cao

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Jiaqiang Yan

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Amanda Clune

    • University of Tennessee
  • Kendall Hughey

    • University of Tennessee
  • John Singleton

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Janice Musfeldt

    • University of Tennessee
  • Brian Sales

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Jaime Fernandez-Baca

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory