Non-collinear spin structure of ε-FexN (2 < x < 3) observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy

ε-FexN (x = 2.5) nanocrystallites synthesized by controlled nitridation and quenching were found to have a disordered arrangement of nitrogen atoms. Mössbauer spectrum at 5 K shows an increased intensity for the second and fifth line indicating a canted spin structure. The in-field spectra at 5 K show a clear evidence for the existence of non-collinear spin structure by the non-vanishing intensity of second and fifth lines. The spin canting can be attributed to the disordered arrangement of non-magnetic nitrogen atoms which creates vacant interstitial sites and thus different kinds of Fe–Fe and Fe–N interactions to various extents.