Neutron diffraction study of the Néel transition in Cr(0.5 % V)

While pure chromium undergoes a first-order antiferromagnetic transition, thermal expansion measurements have indicated that the addition of small amounts of vanadium and molybdenum make the Néel transition continuous. A neutron diffraction study of a single crystal of Cr(0.5% V) showed no discontinuity in magnetic Bragg satellite intensity at the Néel temperature, TN=254 K, that would indicate a first-order transition. Complicated behavior of the satellite intensities near the transition temperature is attributed to inhomogeneous strain in the sample. The satellite intensity showed a linear temperature dependence over a range of at least 100 K below TN.