Induced noncollinear magnetic order of Nd3+ in NdNiO3 observed by resonant soft x-ray diffraction

Abstract

Soft x-ray resonant magnetic diffraction at the Nd M edges was performed on a NdNiO3 epitaxial film to investigate the magnetic ordering of the Nd ions below the metal-insulator transition. A noncollinear magnetic structure induced by the Ni magnetic moments best describes the azimuthal angle dependency of the (1/2, 0, 1/2) reflection. This confirms the Ni spin structure observed with soft x-ray diffraction experiments performed at the Ni L edge, providing further evidence of charge disproportionation without orbital order below the metal-insulator transition in NdNiO3. © 2008, American Physical Society