Magnetic Pair Distribution Function Data Using Polarized Neutrons and ad hoc Corrections

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first use of polarized neutron analysis to obtain high-quality magnetic pair distribution function data, improving data accuracy with minimal manual corrections, and showcases its potential for routine magnetic structure analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of using polarized neutrons for mPDF data collection with minimal corrections, enhancing data quality and reliability.

Findings

High-quality mPDF data obtained for MnTe in different magnetic states

Application of ad hoc corrections improves data quality significantly

Establishes a benchmark for future polarized neutron mPDF studies

Abstract

We report the first example of magnetic pair distribution function (mPDF) data obtained through use of neutron polarization analysis. Using the antiferromagnetic semiconductor MnTe as a test case, we present high-quality mPDF data collected on the HYSPEC instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source using longitudinal polarization analysis to isolate the magnetic scattering cross section. Clean mPDF patterns are obtained for MnTe in both the magnetically ordered state and the correlated paramagnet state, where only short-range magnetic order is present. We also demonstrate significant improvement in the quality of high-resolution mPDF data through application of ad hoc corrections that require only minimal human input, minimizing potential sources of error in the data processing procedure. We briefly discuss the current limitations and future outlook of mPDF analysis using polarized neutrons. Overall, this work provides a useful benchmark for mPDF analysis using polarized neutrons and provides an encouraging picture of the potential for routine collection of high-quality mPDF data.