Polarized Neutron Measurements of the Internal Magnetization of a Ferrimagnet Across its Compensation Temperature

TL;DR

This study uses polarized neutron imaging, neutron spin echo spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry to investigate the internal magnetization of terbium iron garnet across its compensation temperature, confirming the vanishing of internal magnetization at Tcomp.

Contribution

First polarized neutron transmission image of a ferrimagnetic material across its compensation temperature, providing direct evidence of internal magnetization behavior.

Findings

Internal magnetization vanishes at Tcomp

Neutron imaging aligns with spin echo and SQUID data

Demonstrates internal magnetization behavior in ferrimagnets

Abstract

We present the first polarized neutron transmission image of a model Neel ferrimagnetic material, polycrystalline terbium iron garnet (Tb3Fe5O12, TbIG for short), as it is taken through its compensation temperature Tcomp where the macroscopic magnetization vanishes. Our polarized neutron imaging data and the additional supporting measurements using neutron spin echo spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry are all consistent with a vanishing internal magnetization at Tcomp.