Critical Reexamination of Resonant Soft X-Ray Bragg Forbidden Reflections in Magnetite
Magnetite, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, displays a highly complex low-temperature crystal structure that may be charge and orbitally ordered. Many of the recent experimental claims of such ordering rely on resonant soft x-ray diffraction at the oxygen K and iron L edges. We have reexamined this system and undertaken soft x-ray diffraction experiments on a high-quality single crystal. Contrary to previous claims in the literature, we show that the intensity observed at the Bragg forbidden (001/2){sub c} reflection can be explained purely in terms of the low-temperature structural displacements around the resonant atoms. This does not necessarily mean that magnetite is not charge or orbitally ordered but rather that the present sensitivity of resonant soft x-ray experiments does not allow conclusive demonstration of such ordering.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 1040125
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-90335-2009-JA; R&D Project: PO-011; KC0202010; TRN: US1202315
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 79, Issue 20; ISSN 1098-0121
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Search for Q ~ 0 Order near a Forbidden Bragg Position in Bi2.1Sr1.9CaCu2O8+x with Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering
Time-resolved resonant soft x-ray diffraction with free-electron lasers: Femtosecond dynamics across the Verwey transition in magnetite