Crystal lattice size predicts magnetic ground state in quasicrystal approximants

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science and Tohoku University found that the lattice parameter of Tsai-type approximant crystals predicts magnetic ground states more reliably than valence-electron concentration. A threshold near 14.72 Å separates a whirling antiferromagnetic state from a ferromagnetic one, while below 14.62 Å the material becomes a spin glass.

• Lattice parameters above 14.72 Å yield a whirling antiferromagnetic state
• Between 14.62 and 14.72 Å the material shows whirling ferromagnetism
• Below 14.62 Å compounds enter a spin-glass state
• Au–Al and Au–Ga crystals with terbium, dysprosium and holmium were synthesized