Weak ferrimagnetism and multiple magnetization reversal in alpha-Cr(3)(PO(4))(2)

The chromium(II) orthophosphate alpha-Cr-3(PO4)(2) is a weak ferrimagnet with the Curie temperature T-C = 29 K confirmed by a lambda-type peak in specific heat. Dominant antiferromagnetic interactions in this system are characterized by the Weiss temperature Theta = 96 K, indicating an intermediate frustration ratio vertical bar Theta vertical bar/T-C similar to 3. In its magnetically ordered states alpha-Cr-3(PO4)(2) exhibits a remarkable sequence of temperature-induced magnetization reversals sensitive to the protocol of measurements, i.e., either field-cooled or zero-field-cooled regimes. The reduction of the effective magnetic moment 4.5 mu(B)/Cr2+, as compared to the spin-only moment 4.9 mu(B)/Cr2+, cannot be ascribed to the occurrence of the low-spin state in any crystallographic site of the Jahn-Teller active 3d(4) Cr2+ ions. X-ray absorption spectra at the K edge indicate divalent chromium and unravel the high-spin state of these ions at the L-2,L-3 edges. Weak ferrimagnetism and multiple magnetization reversal phenomena seen in this compound could be ascribed to incomplete cancellation and distortion of partial spontaneous magnetization functions of Cr2+ in its six crystallographically inequivalent positions.