Evolution of the Magnetic Domain Structure in Iron Borate FeBO3 Single Crystals in External Fields according to X-ray Diffraction and Magneto-Optical Studies

Abstract

An X-ray diffraction technique utilizing a synchrotron radiation source has been proposed and implemented to study the processes of magnetic domain structure evolution in external fields. Highly perfect single crystals of iron borate FeBO₃ were used as model objects. A series of  X-ray and magneto-optical experiments was performed to investigate the evolution of the magnetic domain structure in weak external magnetic fields. It has been established that the movement of domain walls leads to a stepwise broadening of the diffraction reflection curves of FeBO₃ crystals. It is demonstrated that X-ray diffraction studies of the magnetic domain structure can be useful for characterizing magnetic materials where direct observation of domains by magneto-optical and electron-microscopic methods is hindered.