Neutron diffraction study of TbMnO3: Magnetic structure revisited

TL;DR

This neutron diffraction study of TbMnO3 reveals multiple magnetic structures, including G, C, and F types, and details how these orderings evolve with temperature, providing a comprehensive understanding of its magnetic phase behavior.

Contribution

The study uncovers additional C-type and F-type magnetic orderings in TbMnO3, expanding the understanding of its complex magnetic structure beyond previous reports.

Findings

Multiple magnetic orderings (A, G, C, F types) identified.

Magnetic components enhanced below specific transition temperatures.

Tb ion ordering influences Mn magnetic structures.

Abstract

Magnetic ordering in TbMnO3 was revisited by a neutron diffraction study. In addition to the previously reported A-type and G-type modulated structures with a propagation vector (0,q_Mn,0), we found C-type and F-type orderings of the Mn moments. All the components appear below T_N^Mn = 46 K, and the G, C,and F-type components are enhanced below T_lock = 28 K, where q_Mn ordering locks at its low temperature value. The locking of the propagation vector also yields the squaring up of the spin arrangement. The magnetic moments of Tb ions show a quasi long-range ordering below T_N^Tb = 7 K. It drastically promotes the development of the G, C, and F-type components while suppressing the A-type components.