Magnetic structure determination and refinement using <i>FullProf</i>
Juan Rodríguez-Carvajal, Javier González‐Platas, Nebil A. Katcho
Abstract
The study of magnetic structures from a crystallographic perspective remains a niche field, largely confined to physical crystallography and microscopic magnetism. Unlike general or superspace crystallography, magnetic structure analysis lacks standardization, primarily due to the small research community and the reliance on specialized experimental techniques like neutron diffraction. However, emerging topics in condensed matter physics, such as topological materials, multiferroics, and skyrmions, have heightened the importance of understanding magnetic ordering. As a result, the analysis of magnetic neutron scattering data is becoming increasingly relevant, requiring unified methodologies. Since 2011, the IUCr Commission on Magnetic Structures has been working to improve the situation. This paper reviews the most commonly used methods for describing magnetic structures and highlights the capabilities of the FullProf Suite for analysing magnetic neutron diffraction data.