Abstract
In many ostensibly crystalline materials, unit-cell-based descriptions do not always capture the complete physics of the system due to disruption in long-range order. In the series of cobalt hydroxides studied here, Co(OH) 2-x(Cl)x(H2O)n, magnetic Bragg diffraction reveals a fully compensated Néel state, yet the materials show significant and open magnetization loops. A detailed analysis of the local structure defines the aperiodic arrangement of cobalt coordination polyhedra. Representation of the structure as a combination of distinct polyhedral motifs explains the existence of locally uncompensated moments and provides a quantitative agreement with bulk magnetic measurements and magnetic Bragg diffraction.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 094418 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 83 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 16 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics