Investigation of orbital magnetization in inverse spinel cobalt ferrite using magnetic Compton scattering

We present the spin momentum densities of CoFe(2)O(4) measured at 8 and 300 K using magnetic Compton scattering. The magnetic Compton profiles were decomposed into component profiles of constituents namely Fe and Co, to determine their role in the formation of total spin moment. It is seen that the major contribution (about 80%) in the spin moment is from Co, whereas the itinerant electrons show a small reverse polarization. Moreover, it is clearly visualized that the spin moment at Co reduces from 2.55 -> 2.35 mu B/f.u. while going from 8 -> 300 K. The magnetic Compton profiles, when compared with the magnetization data, show about 17% contribution of orbital moment to the total magnetic moment at both temperatures. The origin of the orbital moment is explained on the basis of rotation of hole on t(2g) orbital of Co(+2) ion. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3650251]