Crystal structures and magnetic properties of La2ZnxMg1 –xIrO6
Abstract
The crystal structures of La2ZnxMg1 –xIrO6(x= 0.0, 0.125, 1.0) have been refined from neutron powder diffraction data. The compound adopts a monoclinic (space group P21/n) form of the perovskite structure with a 1:1 ordered arrangement of Ir and Zn(Mg) cations for all values of x. The magnetic properties of the system are reviewed in the light of the structural data, and possible explanations for the contrasting behaviour of the compositions x= 0 (antiferromagnetic) and x= 1 (ferromagnetic) are discussed.