A study on additional magnetic modulation vectors observed in the element neodymium*

The element neodymium hosts a complex but fascinating cascade of magnetic transitions. Here we present the results of small angle neutron scattering investigations of magnetic phases of neodymium.  Our measurements demonstrate the appearance of an additional set of magnetic modulation peaks for 5.9(1) ≤ T ≤ 7.6(1) K and µ₀H ≤ 1.0(1) T for fields applied along the c-axis.  This set of magnetic peaks is described by a modulation vector of 0.06 a* and is smaller than previously reported observations from the studies performed in higher Brillouin zones. The SANS measurements facilitate a comparison between modulation vectors originating from each of the two distinct sites, typically termed cubic and hexagonal sites, in the double hexagonal closed packed structure of Nd.  From these observations we conclude that additional modulation vectors originate primarily from order on the cubic sites.