%0 Journal Article
%A Magnuson, Martin
%A Mattesini, Maurizio
%T Magnetic anisotropy in Cr_(2)GeC investigated by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and ab initio calculations
%D 2020
%@ 0304-8853
%U https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/6175
%X The magnetism in the inherently nanolaminated ternary MAX-phase Cr_(2)GeC is investigated by element-selective, polarization and temperature-dependent, soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. The measurements indicate an antiferro-magnetic Cr-Cr coupling along the c-axis of the hexagonal structure modulated by a ferromagnetic ordering in the nanolaminated ab-basal planes. The weak chromium magnetic moments are an order of magnitude stronger in the nanolaminated planes than along the vertical axis. Theoretically, a small but notable, non-spin-collinear component explains the existence of a non-perfect spin compensation along the c-axis. As shown in this work, this spin distortion generates an overall residual spin moment inside the unit cell resembling that of a ferri-magnet. Due to the different competing magnetic interactions, electron correlations and temperature effects both need to be considered to achieve a correct theoretical description of the Cr_(2)GeC magnetic properties.
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