Interplay between magnetic excitations and plasticity in body-centered cubic chromium

Abstract

The effect of finite-temperature magnetic excitations on the plasticity of body-centered cubic chromium is studied. In chromium, the magnetic order is disrupted by the $\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\langle}111\ensuremath{\rangle}$ Burgers vectors of dislocations, creating magnetic frustrations partially resolved through the generation of magnetic faults. These faults may bear consequences on plasticity, the controlling parameter being their energy. Through the inclusion of finite-temperature magnetic excitations, we show in this work that these faults vanish below the N\'eel temperature, thus leaving $\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\langle}111\ensuremath{\rangle}$ dislocations free to move. When the faults have disappeared, complex noncollinear magnetic structures are stabilized, surrounding the region sheared by these dislocations, with a negligible excess magnetic energy.