Fine structure and magnetism of the cubic oxide compound [Ni.sub.0.3][Zn.sub.0.7]O

The fine structure and spin system of the cubic oxide [Ni.sub.0.3][Zn.sub.0.7]O compound prepared from the initial hexagonal phase by quenching a sample with a high temperature and applying an external hydrostatic pressure to it have been studied using magnetic measurements, synchrotron and X-ray diffraction. It has been revealed that the diffraction patterns of this compound contain a system of weak diffuse maxima with the wave vectors q = (1/6 1/6 1/6)2π/a and (1/3 1/3 1/3)2π/a, along with strong Bragg peaks of the cubic phase. It has been shown that the origin of the diffuse peaks is due to longitudinal and transverse displacements of ions with respect to symmetric crystallographic directions of the {111} type. The reasons for the ion displacement and specific features of the structure of the spin system of the strongly correlated oxide [Ni.sub.0.3][Zn.sub.0.7]O compound have been briefly discussed.