ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal
This is a page describing data taken during an experiment at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Information about the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source can be found at https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk.
Local structure of complex hexagonal perovskite Sr4Ru2O9
Abstract: Sr4Ru2O9 is a newly rediscovered ruthenium oxide with an unusual crystal structure and magnetic behaviour. Its structure contains pairs of face-sharing RuO6 octahedra, which are expected to strongly influence how the electrons and magnetic moments behave. Earlier reports suggested ferromagnetism, but the team has shown that this came from an impurity. The pure material instead forms an unusual antiferromagnetic state, unlike related Ru5+ hexagonal perovskites. Our previous neutron diffraction work showed that when the magnetic order onsets, a magnetostrictive effect occurs. However, the average crystal structure does not show a clear symmetry change, suggesting that the important structural changes may be local and short range rather than visible in the long-range average structure. This experiment will use neutron total scattering on POLARIS to measure the local structure of a powder sample at several temperatures above, through and below the magnetic transition. Pair distribution function analysis will reveal precise Ru-O distances and distortions within the RuO6 pairs, avoiding problems caused by twinning and domains in single crystal measurements. The results will help explain the unusual antiferromagnetic state of Sr4Ru2O9 and assist the design of new quantum materials.
Principal Investigator: Dr Alexandra Gibbs
Local Contact: Dr Helen Playford
Experimenter: Mr Greig Falls
Experimenter: Mr Diogo Alexandre Fernandes De Almeida
Experimenter: Dr Andreas Rost
Experimenter: Mr Ashley Brennan
Experimenter: Dr Maximilian Pelly
DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2620898
ISIS Experiment Number: RB2620898
| Part DOI | Instrument | Public release date | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2620898-1 | POLARIS | 20 October 2029 | Download |
Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation
The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research
publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher],
[doi]
For Example:
Dr Alexandra Gibbs et al; (2026): Local structure of complex hexagonal perovskite Sr4Ru2O9, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2620898
Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.
