Metamagnetic transition in Tb2MnCoO6

Abstract

The magnetic properties of the double perovskite Tb2MnCoO6 have been studied. The refinement of neutron pattern reveals antisite defects in the ordered array of Mn4+ and Co2+ cations. The temperature dependence of dc magnetization exhibits a magnetic transition at ~100 K with a strong irreversibility between ZFC and FC conditions. The ac magnetic susceptibility curve shows a strong peak at the same temperature whose position and intensity slightly depends on the field frequency. These features are typical of a spin-glasslike phase but neutron diffraction shows the onset of a ferromagnetic contribution at the same temperature. Ferromagnetism in this sample is associated to superexchange interaction between Mn4+ and Co2+ cations. The most striking property of Tb2MnCoO6 is the presence of field induced transitions. This is observed in the magnetic hysteresis loops below 100K. The metamagnetic transition was studied by powder neutron diffraction at different temperatures and magnetic fields. At low temperature, the magnetic field induces a long range magnetic ordering of Tb3+ moments in the ab-plane. The magnetic peaks of Tb moments at 30 kOe vanish at 60K. Above this temperature, the metamagnetic transition is ascribed to the field induced transition from short to long range ferromagnetic ordering in the Mn-Co sublattice.