Observation of strong magnetoelastic coupling in a first-order phase transition of CrOCl

Joachim Angelkort, Alexander Wölfel, Andreas Schönleber, Sander van Smaalen, and Reinhard K. Kremer
Phys. Rev. B 80, 144416 – Published 20 October 2009

Abstract

The phase transition of CrOCl toward a state of antiferromagnetic order below TN=13.5K has been identified as a first-order phase transition. The transition is accompanied by a lattice and structural distortion toward a twofold, 2b nuclear superstructure with a-axis unique monoclinic symmetry, as evidenced by temperature-dependent x-ray diffraction experiments. Magnetic-susceptibility and magnetization measurements indicate a transition with strong magnetoelastic coupling to a uniaxial antiferromagnet with ordered moments along c. A second transition is discovered at Tc27.2K that is presumably of purely magnetic origin and might indicate the formation of an incommensurate magnetic superstructure. The different behaviors of TiOCl, VOCl, and CrOCl are the result of the different symmetries of the filled 3d orbitals, which lead to different exchange interactions on the MO double layers of these isostructural compounds.

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  • Received 2 July 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.144416

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Joachim Angelkort, Alexander Wölfel, Andreas Schönleber, and Sander van Smaalen*

  • Laboratory of Crystallography, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany

Reinhard K. Kremer

  • MPI for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstrasse 1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • *smash@uni-bayreuth.de; www.crystal.uni-bayreuth.de

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Issue

Vol. 80, Iss. 14 — 1 October 2009

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