A search for spin-orbit coupling effects in magnetic neutron scattering by FeCO3

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Abstract
A study has been made of the neutron magnetic scattering by single crystal FeCO3 in the antiferromagnetic phase at 4.2K. Polarisation analysis has been used to determine the absolute direction of the magnetic interaction vector for several low angle (hhl) reflections. The presence of equal proportions of the two 180 degrees domain types in the crystal used has prevented a direct observation of deviations in the directions of the interaction vectors due to spin-orbit coupling. However, an indirect measure of these deviations could be obtained from the degree of depolarisation introduced by scattering. The results obtained are in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions. Uncertainties intrinsic to the technique used and the sample have prevented quantitative comparison, but it is suggested that more precise results could be obtained using a development of the present technique. Some features of the occurrence of different kinds of antiferromagnetic domains are discussed.

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