Synthesis and crystal growth

Abstract:

We present ultrafast resonant soft-x-ray diffraction measurements of time-dependent orbital order in the single-layer-manganite La0.5Sr1.5MnO4. These experiments reveal the appearance of a metastable phase with reduced ordering, different from any thermal state of the system. © OSA / UP 2010.

Abstract:

Orbital order has been proposed theoretically for more than half a century, and has subsequently been observed in a huge range of materials. Charge ordering is generally accompanied by a transition from a metal to an insulator. In manganites, colossal magneto-resistance (CMR) is associated with competition between charge and orbital antiferromagnetic insulating phases and ferromagnetic metallic phases. Initial models of charge and orbital order in the manganites concentrated on the chequerboard charge order structure, observed in many half doped systems. Incommensurate charge ordering and structural distortions have been identified in La0.6Sr2.4Mn2O7 through the observation of superlattice reflections using resonant x-ray scattering. Such structural distortions are indicative of concomitant orbital order, leading to our proposal of an incommensurate charge-orbital density wave. Superlattice structural distortion reflections were observed with a modulation vector (0.178, 0.178, 0), and charge order reflections with a modulation vector (0.356, 0.356, 0). Low temperature charge order melting, observed in the half doped bilayer manganite, is not present due to the absence of long range magnetic order. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

Electronic and magnetic properties of the charge ordered phase of LuFe2 O4 are investigated by means of x-ray spectroscopic and theoretical electronic structure approaches. LuFe2 O4 is a compound showing fascinating magnetoelectric coupling via charge ordering. Here, we identify the spin ground state of LuFe2 O4 in the charge ordered phase to be a 2:1 ferrimagnetic configuration, ruling out a frustrated magnetic state. An enhanced orbital moment may enhance the magnetoelectric coupling. Furthermore, we determine the densities of states and the corresponding correlation potentials by means of x-ray photoelectron and emission spectroscopies, as well as electronic structure calculations. © 2009 The American Physical Society.