Magnetic Structure Analysis by Neutron Diffraction Techniques

Abstract

Neutron scattering is one of most powerful probes to study magnetism in condensed matter, having significant advantages over other experimental techniques in the elucidation of magnetic structure and dynamics. They provide the most direct information on the arrangement of magnetic moments in a specimen. In contrast to well-developed environment of Rietveld analysis on crystal structure, magnetic structure refinement, however, cannot be easily done by non-expertized experimentalists. Here we make every effort to illustrate on how to analyze magnetic structures. This aims to provide readers with opportunities to grasp procedures of the analysis. The manuscript consists of examples of bulk compounds based on our recent results; iron-based compounds BaFe₂Se₃ and CaFe₄As₃ where representation analysis is applied, and low-dimensional magnet NiGa₂S₄ with short-range magnetic correlation.