X-ray diffraction in magnetic fields

A method to determine the direction of magnetization in polycrystalline materials was developed using X-ray powder diffraction under an external magnetic field. The application of the magnetic field to the powdered sample induces a preferred orientation. By observing the changes in the line intensities as a consequence, the direction of spontaneous magnetization within the lattice can be determined in the case of a ferro-or ferrimagnetic arrangement. Since the sample holder with the permanent magnet is mounted on the cold finger of a flow cryostat, it is also possible to observe a change in direction of spontaneous magnetization as a function of the temperature.