Collinear spin density wave state in distorted square-lattice GdNiSn$_4$

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic ground state of GdNiSn4, revealing a collinear spin density wave with incommensurate order that transitions to a commensurate state, linking magnetic structure to electronic properties.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed characterization of the magnetic order in GdNiSn4, identifying a collinear spin density wave and its temperature-dependent transition.

Findings

Identified incommensurate collinear magnetic order below 23 K.

Discovered transition to a commensurate state at 16 K.

Linked magnetic order to electronic properties in the square-net compound.

Abstract

We characterize the magnetic ground state of the newly synthesized lanthanide intermetallic GdNiSn$_4$ via resonant elastic x-ray scattering measurements. This compound forms distorted square nets of Gd that initially order magnetically below 23 K followed by a lower temperature transition at 16 K. Our scattering data identify the ground state order as a single-$q$ incommensurate, collinear order that slides towards a commensurate wave vector above the 16 K transition. Magnetic symmetry analysis combined with azimuthal dependence resolves the ground state magnetic structure as a moment-modulated spin density wave state with Gd moments oriented parallel to the in-plane a-axis. We discuss connections between the observed magnetic order and electronic properties in this square-net compound.