The critical role of spin rotation in the giant magnetostriction of La(Fe,Al) 13

As an efficient converter between electromagnetic and mechanical energies, magnetostriction is an intriguing property for not only fundamental studies but also technological applications. However, the understanding of its microscopic origin remains challenging, which is critical for the development of magnetostriction materials. Here, the critical role of spin rotation in the giant magnetostriction of La(Fe,Al)13 is first revealed by the in-situ magnetic and temperature field of neutron powder diffraction. The giant magnetostriction originates from magnetic-field-driven spin moment rotation of canting structure, in which the sharp increase of ferromagnetic component causes the elongation of icosahedron inside of lattice. Furthermore, it is the first time to reveal the accurate canting antiferromagnetic structure in La(Fe,Al)13. The present study provides a new strategy, i.e., the spin rotation, for exploring new magnetostriction functional materials.