Observation of three magnetic states in spinel MnFe2O4 single crystals
Abstract
Due to their unique structure that hosts geometric frustration, spinel oxides with magnetic ions in both the tetrahedral and octahedral environments undergo multiple spin rearrangement transitions. From the magnetization and thermal properties measurements of MnFe2O4, we have found three magnetic states occurring at TFI-1 = 575 K, TFI-2 = 50 K, and Tx = 15 K. Detailed analyses of the specific heat and thermal conductivity reveal a significant contribution from the low-temperature magnetic excitations. Especially, there is a large negative magneto-thermal conductivity with a maximum magnitude near TFI-2, which becomes positive below Tx. The possible origin of each magnetic state is discussed.
- Publication:
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Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials
- Pub Date:
- March 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jmmm.2019.165955
- Bibcode:
- 2020JMMM..49765955N
- Keywords:
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- Spinel oxides;
- Non-collinear ferrimagnetism;
- Magnetic phase transitions