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The features of birefringence of the linearly polarized light in the magnetoelectric single crystals LiNiPO4

Yura Kharchenko 

Institute for Low Temperature Physics, 47 Lenin ave., Kharkov 61103, Ukraine

Abstract

The magnetization of the antiferromagnetic magnetoelectric LiNiPO4 single crystal along the crystallographic axes a, b and c was measured. The carried out researches have shown in it presence of a weak ferromagnetism. The weak ferromagnetic moment is directed along the antiferromagnetic axis of the crystal. The measured remanent magnetization in LiNiPO4 is equal to about 0.005 G at 5K. With increase of a temperature of the sample up to the Neel temperature (TN~21K) the remanent magnetic moment was decreasing up to zero. Furthermore, in LiNiPO4 the intermediate antiferromagnetic phase was revealed in the narrow temperature interval ~1 K near Neel temperature. The magnetic structure of the basic antiferromagnetic state of LiNiPO4 is uniform, but its antiferromagnetic intermediate state has a modulated structure. For more information about processes of magnetic ordering the behaviour of birefringence in this crystal was investigated depending on changes of temperature or intensity of a magnetic field. So, on the temperature dependences of birefringence is observed jump at Т1 and at Т2 (=Т1+1К) break of a curve. These features to make agree with presence intermediate of structure in a temperature interval Т12. But herewith the temperature hysteresis with width 6 K and the centre in the TN is observed. In addition, we notice linear dependence of birefringence on intensity of a magnetic field in fields up to 15 kOe and further break of a curve. In higher magnetic fields, the dependence carries parabolic character. The attempt is made to connect these features with behaviour of magnetic structure in a magnetic field. (ilt.kharkov.ua/bvi/structure/depart_e/d04/resecher-en.html)

 

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Presentation: Poster at E-MRS Fall Meeting 2006, Symposium I, by Yura Kharchenko
See On-line Journal of E-MRS Fall Meeting 2006

Submitted: 2006-05-13 17:04
Revised:   2009-06-07 00:44