# Single crystal growth and anisotropic magnetic properties of Li$_2$Sr[Li$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$N]$_2$

## TL;DR

This paper reports a new method for growing large single crystals of a nitridoferrate compound, enabling detailed magnetic property measurements that reveal significant anisotropy and orbital contributions, advancing nitridometalate research.

## Contribution

A modified lithium flux technique for synthesizing large, high-quality single crystals of Li₂Sr[Li₁₋ₓFeₓN]₂, facilitating anisotropic magnetic studies of nitridometalates.

## Key findings

- Large magnetic anisotropy observed with coercivity of 7 Tesla at 2 K
- Significant orbital contribution to the magnetic moment of iron
- New growth method applicable to other nitridometalates

## Abstract

Up to now, investigation of physical properties of ternary and higher nitridometalates was severely hampered by challenges concerning phase purity and crystal size. Employing a modified lithium flux technique, we are now able to prepare sufficiently large single crystals of the highly air and moisture sensitive nitridoferrate $\rm Li_2Sr[Li_{1-x}Fe_xN]_2$ for anisotropic magnetization measurements. The magnetic properties are most remarkable: large anisotropy and coercivity fields of 7 Tesla at $T = 2$ K indicate a significant orbital contribution to the magnetic moment of iron. Altogether, the novel growth method opens a route towards interesting phases in the comparatively recent research field of nitridometalates and should be applicable to various other materials.