Non-collinear magnetic structure of the Sr2ErRuO6 double perovskite

The crystal and magnetic structure of Sr₂ErRuO₆ has been studied by means of neutron powder diffraction as well as magnetization and susceptibility measurements. Neutron diffraction profile measured at 50 K shows that the Ru⁵⁺ and Er³⁺ are ordered in the B-sites of the perovskite-type structure, while the Sr atoms occupy the A-site. This compound crystallizes with a monoclinic unit cell, space group P2₁/n and lattice parameters are approximately √2a_p × √2a_p × 2a_p. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions in which Ru⁵⁺ and Er³⁺ sublattices are involved. The field dependence of the magnetization indicates the presence of a weak ferromagnetic component at the transition temperature, arising from the spin canting of the antiferromagnetically ordered Ru⁵⁺ and Er³⁺ moments. Thermal evolution of the neutron diffraction patterns indicate that the Nèel temperature is 36 K and the magnetic reflections can be indexed on the basis of a propagation vector k = 0, 0, 0]. The spin arrangement is described by the AxAz magnetic modes where the Ru⁵⁺ and Er³⁺ moments are mainly aligned along the c-axis of the structure, forming an angle of 6° with the c-axis in the case of the Er³⁺ sublattice and 15° for the Ru⁵⁺ moment.