Neutron diffuse scattering in magnetite due to molecular polarons

A detailed neutron diffuse scattering study has been carried out in order to verify a model which describes the property of valence fluctuations in magnetite above $T_V$. This model assumes the existence of a complex which is composed of two excess electrons and a local displacement mode of oxygens within the fcc primitive cell. The complex is called a molecular polaron. It is assumed that at sufficiently high temperatures there is a random distribution of molecular polarons, which are fluctuating independently by making hopping motions through the crystal or by dissociating into smaller polarons. The lifetime of each molecular polaron is assumed to be long enough to induce an instantaneous strain field around it. Based on this model, the neutron diffuse scattering cross section due to randomly distributed dressed molecular polarons has been calculated. A precise measurement of the quasielastic scattering of neutrons has been carried out at 150 K. The observed results definitely show the characteristics which are predicted by the model calculation and, thus, give evidence for the existence of the proposed molecular polarons. From this standpoint, the Verwey transition of magnetite may be viewed as the cooperative ordering process of dressed molecular polarons. Possible extensions of the model to describe the ordering and the dynamical behavior of the molecular polarons are discussed.