Cation distribution analysis of Sr–La–Co M-type ferrites by neutron diffraction, extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism

Abstract

The occupation sites of lanthanum and cobalt ions in the La–Co substituted M type ferrite Sr_1−xLa_xCo_xFe_11.6−xO₁₉, where x = 0.20 to 0.35, were analyzed by the neutron diffraction, the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) in order to understand the relationship between the local structure and the improvements of magnetic characteristics in the La–Co substituted M-type ferrite. The results of EXAFS analysis suggest that Co is partitioned in the 4f₁, 2a and 12k sites, which is in a good agreement with the results of the neutron diffraction analysis. XMCD measurements also indicate that the ferric ions at the tetrahedral site 4f₁ is replaced by elements of a smaller magnetic moment.