Abstract
The reordering mechanism from the antiferromagnetic phase AFI to the antiferromagnetic phase AFII in an oxygen-deficient YBaCuAlO single crystal with an oxygen content in the Cu(1) layer has been studied by neutron diffraction and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). The crystal orders magnetically from the paramagnetic state to the antiferromagnetic AFI state at the Néel temperature K with an empirical critical exponent of . Reordering to the antiferromagnetic AFII state sets in at K. In both the AFI and AFII phases the ordered magnetic moments on the Cu(2) lattice sites are identical and take a value of no ordered moment is found on the Cu(1) lattice sites. From the temperature dependence of the Cu(1) NQR spectrum, the magnetic hyperfine field at Cu(1) sites is found to vary continuously as a function of temperature. This result indicates unequivocally that the AFIAFII reordering takes place via a noncollinear intermediate turn angle phase AFIII.
- Received 16 December 1996
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.56.940
©1997 American Physical Society