Abstract
AbstractThe linear optical anisotropy of MnO single crystals is investigated as a function of the wavelength, the magnetic field, and the temperature near the antiferromagnetic phase transition at TN = 118 K. The linear magnetic birefringence (LMB) and the dichroism (LMD) show pronounced structures between 13000 and 22000 cm+1 which decrease with increasing temperature and vanish above TN. They are connected with the 4T1g‐ and 4T2g‐absorption bands of the Mn2+ ions. In the LMB spectra a temperature‐dependent background is associated with the band gap absorption. Magnetic fields up to 7.5 T have no effect on the LMB and LMD. The temperature dependence of the optical anisotropy shows the behaviour of the long‐range order parameter of the phase transition which is discontinuous at TN. An exchange striction model which includes uniaxial stress and magnetic fields is discussed in the mean field approximation; the results are in quantitative agreement with the experimental data.
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