Modulated order in classical magnetoelastic chains

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.38.4845· OSTI ID:7092503

Marchand, M; Caille, A

We investigate the nature of modulated lattice distortions that can occur in a two-dimensional array of classical magnetoelastic chains coupled together by elastic interactions only. The phase diagram for the lattice structure is obtained by numerically minimizing a one-dimensional, temperature-dependent, effective-free-energy functional of the elastic variables. At zero temperature, only phases where the winding number is uniquely defined are found, and the transitions among these phases are suggestive of a complete devil's-staircase behavior. These numerical results are consistent with N. Ishimura's analytic demonstration that such a staircase exists (J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 54, 4752 (1985)). At finite temperatures, phases where the winding number is not uniquely defined are found and, in addition, first- and second-order transitions appear. Also of interest are superdegenerate lines where the equilibrium phase is composed of noninteracting solitons of zero energy.

• Research Organization: Departement de Physique et Centre de Recherche en Physique du Solide, Universite de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1K 2R1
• OSTI ID: 7092503
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 38:7; ISSN PRBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102* -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
CRYSTAL MODELS
DEFORMATION
INTERACTIONS
LATTICE PARAMETERS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETOSTRICTION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
PHASE STUDIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS