Domain-Wall Mechanism of Nucleation in a Magnetic
Structural Phase Transition in La₂CuO₄

M. A. Shamsutdinov* and V. N. Nazarov**

* Bashkortostan State University, ul. Frunze 32, Ufa, Bashkortostan, 450074 Russia

** Institute of Molecular and Crystal Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ufa, Bashkortostan, 450075 Russia

Received April 5, 2001; in final form, July 9, 2001

Abstract—The structure of domain walls and new-phase nucleation are investigated in a four-sublattice anti-
ferromagnet (AFM) of the La₂CuO₄ type placed in a magnetic field which initiates an AFM–weak-ferromagnet
(WFM) magnetic structural phase transition. The critical fields for nucleus growth are found in the case of two
types of domain walls present. The magnetization curve is calculated and a two-step mechanism is proposed
for the AFM–WFM phase transition observed in La₂CuO₄. © 2002 MAIK “Nauka/Interperiodica”.

Pleiades Publishing home page | journal home page | top

If you have any problems with this server, contact webmaster.