Magnetic fan structures in Ba0.5Sr1.5Zn2Fe12O22hexaferrite revealed by resonant soft x-ray diffraction

The hexaferrites are known to exhibit a wide range of magnetic structures, some of which are connected to important technological applications and display magnetoelectric properties. We present data on the low magnetic field structures stabilized in a Y-type hexaferrite as observed by resonant soft x-ray diffraction. The helical spin block arrangement that is present in zero applied magnetic field becomes fanlike as a field is applied in plane. The propagation vectors associated with each fan structure are studied as a function of magnetic field, and a new magnetic phase is reported. Mean field calculations indicate this phase should stabilize close to the boundary of the previously reported phases.