Magnetic structure of NiCr2O4 studied by neutron scattering and magnetization measurements

The magnetic ordering of the normal spinel ferrimagnet NiCr2O4 below T-C = 74 K was reinvestigated by neutron scattering and magnetization measurements on a powder specimen. We found another magnetic transition at T-S = 31 K besides T-C in both experiments. The ordering of a ferrimagnetic (longitudinal) component and that of an antiferromagnetic (transverse) component occur at T-C and T-S, separately. A new magnetic structure model of NiCr2O4 below T-S with a spontaneous magnetization of about 0.3 mu(B)/formula is proposed based on experimental neutron scattering intensity.