Magnetic structure determination:

• Everything that you have heard about crystal structure determination applies equally to the magnetic structure determination.

• Neutron scattering pattern observed for a magnetic material is just the Fourier transform of the nuclear and magnetic structure.

• Therefore, the information we learn about the crystal structure can also be learned about the magnetic structure. Almost the same basic analysis and principles are followed.

• Neutron diffraction is the best way to study magnetic ordering.

• Should always be combined with complementary methods to obtain a more complete picture

Examples include:

• Bulk magnetic methods (magnetization, susceptibility)
• Mössbauer spectroscopy
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
• Muon spin spectroscopy
• Time-differential perturbed angular correlation

 

The investigation of magnetic structure in MnO crystal in 1949 by Shull has triggered the scientific community to use the neutron as source for detecting magnetic structure (The magnetic moments of some atoms point up and some point down).