Mixed magnetic phase in 6H-type BaFeO3-δ

The magnetic state in 6H-type BaFeO3-delta at low temperature was studied using small-angle neutron scattering, positive-muon spin relaxation and magnetization measurements. These experiments demonstrate the appearance of two different types of magnetic states: an antiferromagnetic ordering with a long-range correlation and magnetic domains with a short-range correlation. The antiferromagnetic Fe spin arrangement occurs below 130 K. In contrast, the magnetic domains are formed below 170 K and the average size of the magnetic domains was estimated as similar to 124 angstrom. These results explain the discrepancy of the Neel temperatures between three measurement techniques: magnetization, neutron powder diffraction and Mossbauer measurements. Furthermore, it was found that the magnetic domains coexist with the long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 130 K.