Magnetic ordering and the role of superexchange Ni–O–B–O–Ni upon the formation of magnetic order in ludwigite Ni2MnBO5 from first-principal calculations

Abstract

The energies of various magnetically ordered structures for ludwigite Ni2MnBO5 have been calculated in the framework of the first-principles approach using the Wien2K program package, with the parameters of exchange interactions being determined. Two subsystems can be distinguished in the magnetic system, which are associated with the triads 4-2-4 and 3-1-3. The magnetic moments of the ions in both triads are antiferromagnetically oriented. The analysis of the exchange contribution to the energy shows that there occurs an increase of the magnetic cell relative to the crystallographic one due to antiferromagnetic ordering of the magnetic moments along the c axis in three-legged ladders formed by 4-2-4 triads. However, in three-legged ladders formed by 3-1-3 triads, the magnetic moments of the ions are ordered along the c-axis ferromagnetically. The predicted type of magnetic ordering in Ni2MnBO5 is similar to magnetic ordering in Fe3BO5. Non-collinear ordering of the magnetic moments of the subsystems at different temperatures is also likely to be observed in Ni2MnBO5, as is the case in Fe3BO5. Superexchange (indirect) interactions (No-O-B-O-Ni) influence the orientation of the magnetic moments of two 3-1-3 (4-2-4) triads within the unit cell. It is these interactions that may be responsible for the formation of long-range magnetic order in Co3BO5 and ferrimagnetic-antiferromagnetic spin-reorientation transition in Fe3BO5.