ISSN:
1572-9540
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Perturbed angular correlation (PAC) experiments with implanted 111In tracers have recently been used to investigate magnetic phase transitions in metal oxides. Here we report on PAC measurements for 111Cd in polycrystalline Fe3O4 in the neighborhood of the Verwey phase transition (TV≈ 120 K). Perturbed angular correlation spectra were taken for implanted 111In probes at temperatures between 9 and 850 K. The two observed Larmor frequencies are attributed to the two possible cation sites in the cubic inverse spinel lattice. For T 〉 120 K, the temperature dependence of both Larmor frequencies follows a Curie–Weiss power law ωL(T)/ ωL(0)=(1-T/TN)β, with the parameters TN=848(2) K and β= 0.392(2). At the Verwey temperature we find a rapid change of both Larmor frequencies, with ωL1 increasing from 178(2) MHz at 120 K to 191(4) MHz at 100 K, and ωL2 decreasing from 173(4) MHz to 151(5) MHz. The Verwey transition also affects the widths of the frequency distributions, which more or less double below TV. This possibly indicates the presence of several components with Larmor frequencies similar to those found in the previous Mössbauer data, or for electronic after-effects correlated with the semiconductivity of magnetite below TV.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1017023322941
