Comparison of the Magnetic properties of Mn3Fe2Si3O12 as a crystalline garnet and as a glass

TL;DR

This study compares the magnetic properties of Mn3Fe2Si3O12 in crystalline garnet and amorphous glass forms, revealing differences in magnetic ordering, frustration, and spin-glass behavior due to structural variations.

Contribution

It provides the first direct comparison of magnetic properties between crystalline and amorphous Mn3Fe2Si3O12, highlighting the effects of amorphization on magnetic frustration and spin-glass behavior.

Findings

Both phases are antiferromagnetic but differ in transition temperatures.

The glassy phase shows higher magnetic frustration and spin-glass behavior.

The amorphous phase has a different composition, Mn3Fe2Si3O13.

Abstract

The crystalline garnet Mn3Fe2Si3O12 and an amorphous phase of the same nominal composition are synthesized at high pressure. The magnetic properties of the two forms are reported. Both phases order antiferromagnetically. The crystalline phase exhibits a Curie-Weiss theta of -47.2 K, with a sharp ordering transition at 12 K. The glassy phase exhibits a larger antiferromagnetic Curie-Weiss theta, of -83.0 K, with a broad ordering transition observed at 2.5 K. Both phases can be classified as magnetically frustrated, although the amorphous phase shows a much higher degree of frustration. The amorphous phase exhibits spin-glass behavior and is determined to have an actual composition of Mn3Fe2Si3O13.