We have used high precision neutron diffraction and ab initio calculations to investigate the behavior of the magnetism of spinel magnetite $\left({\mathrm{Fe}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_4\right)$ under pressure in the $0–10\mathrm{GPa}$ range and at temperatures of $130–300\mathrm{K}$. We find a significant but continuous decrease of the magnetic moments at both the $A$ and $B$ sites to at least $10\mathrm{GPa}$, as well as an absence of any detectable pressure dependence of the oxygen atomic parameter. The data indicate a very weak dependence of the saturation moment on pressure and temperature and rule out unambiguously a transition from inverse to normal spinel in the $P∕T$ range investigated. Consequently, charge ordering cannot be precluded as the origin of the Verwey transition under pressure.

• Received 19 October 2007
• Publisher error corrected 5 February 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.012411