Magnetic structure of $L{i_{1 - x}}N{i_{1 + x}}{o_2}$

Abstract:

We study the magnetic structure of layered Li_1-xNi_1+xO₂ and propose a new scheme: the AF interaction between the excess Ni²⁺ in the Li layers and the Ni³⁺ ions in the Ni planes, gives rise to the formation of ferrimagnetic clusters, which control the physics of these systems. The values of the different interactions are estimated from a mean field calculation in the high temperature limit. For the small x samples studied here the method does not yield an accurate value of ${J_{AF}}$, but it is very sensitive to the intralayer interactions, allowing to conclude that they are ferromagnetic. The recent proposal of a quantum spin-orbital liquid in this system is discussed and the comparison with Jahn-Teller distorted NaNiO₂ is made.