Extracting the cation distributions in NiFe2-xAlxO4 solid solutions using magnetic Compton scattering

J Phys Condens Matter. 2015 Nov 18;27(45):456003. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/27/45/456003. Epub 2015 Oct 16.

Abstract

We discuss the ground state electronic structure and magnetization properties of a series of NiFe2-x Al x O4 solid solutions (x = 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0) using magnetic Compton scattering measurements, together with parallel first-principles computations. In this way, we systematically extract the complicated cation distributions in this ferrite system as a function of x. The relationship between the electronic ground state, magnetism, and cation distributions is explained in terms of a model, validated by our first-principles computations, wherein the magnetic properties of the three cation distributions are assumed to be different. A good accord is found between the computed and measured magnetic Compton profiles.