Magnetic structure and properties of a vanthoffite mineral Na6Mn(SO4)4

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic properties of the mineral Na6Mn(SO4)4, revealing antiferromagnetic ordering below 3 K through experimental and theoretical analyses.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis combining experimental data and theoretical modeling to understand the magnetic structure of Na6Mn(SO4)4, a vanthoffite mineral.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic ordering below 3 K.

Neutron diffraction reveals spin arrangement in the bc plane.

Theoretical calculations confirm antiferromagnetic ground state.

Abstract

A detailed analysis of the magnetic properties of a vanthoffite type mineral Na6Mn(SO4)4 basedon dc magnetization, low temperature neutron powder diffraction and theoretical calculations is reported. The mineral crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group P21/c, where MnO6 octahedra are linked via SO4 tetrahedra. This gives rise to super-exchange interaction between two Mn2+ ions mediated by two nonmagnetic bridging anions and leads to an antiferromagnetic ordering below 3 K. The magnetic structure derived from neutron powder diffraction at 1.7 K depicts an antiferromagnetic spin arrangement in the bc plane of the crystal. The magnetic properties are modelled by numerical calculations using exact diagonalization technique, which fits the experimental results and provides antiferromagnetic ground state of Na6Mn(SO4)4.