X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation and polarized neutron small-angle diffraction have been used to evaluate the absolute crystallographic structure and the spin helix chirality of Mn1-x Fex Si. Contrary to previous observations we show that left- and right-handed crystals can be found for MnSi and its iron substituted analogs. The structural chirality rigorously determines the magnetic chirality of these compounds: left-(right-)handed crystalline chirality establishes left (right) handedness of the magnetic helix.

Original languageEnglish
Article number012408
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume81
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 29 Jan 2010

    Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

ID: 86429202