Cation distribution analysis of Sr-La-Co M-type ferrites by neutron diffraction, extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism

Abstract

The occupation sites of lanthanum and cobalt ions in the La–Co substituted M type ferrite Sr1−xLaxCoxFe11.6−xO19, where x = 0.20 to 0.35, were analyzed by the neutron diffraction, the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) in order to understand the relationship between the local structure and the improvements of magnetic characteristics in the La–Co substituted M-type ferrite. The results of EXAFS analysis suggest that Co is partitioned in the 4f1, 2a and 12k sites, which is in a good agreement with the results of the neutron diffraction analysis. XMCD measurements also indicate that the ferric ions at the tetrahedral site 4f1 is replaced by elements of a smaller magnetic moment.