Antiferro--quadrupolar structures in UPd$_3$ inferred from x-ray resonant Bragg diffraction

TL;DR

This study uses resonant x-ray Bragg diffraction to determine the space groups and quadrupolar order parameters of UPd$_3$ across different low-temperature phases, revealing complex antiferro-quadrupolar structures.

Contribution

The paper provides a new determination of the space groups and quadrupolar order parameters in UPd$_3$ using resonant x-ray diffraction data, clarifying its low-temperature phase structures.

Findings

Identified space groups P222$_1$ and P2$_1$ in different temperature phases.

Inferred specific quadrupolar order parameters at various Bragg reflections.

Revealed complex antiferro-quadrupolar ordering in UPd$_3$.

Abstract

A systematic analysis of resonant x-ray Bragg diffraction data for UPd$_3$, with signal enhancement at the U M$_{IV}$ edge, including possible structural phase-transitions leads to a new determination of the space groups of the material in the phases between $T_0 = 7.8$ K and $T_{+1}$ = 6.9 K as P222$_1$ and between $T_{-1}$ = 6.7 K and $T_{2}$ = 4.4 K as space group P2$_1$. In addition, the quadrupolar order-parameters, $<Q_{ab}>$, inferred from diffraction data in the phase between $T_{-1}$ and $T_{2}$, are $<Q_{xz}>$ and $<Q_{yz}>$ at the (103) Bragg reflection, and $<Q_{xy}>$ at the (104) reflection.