Direct Observation of Anapoles by Neutron Diffraction.

ABSTRACT

The scope of magnetic neutron scattering has been expanded by the observation of electronic Dirac dipoles (anapoles) that are polar (parity odd) and magnetic (time odd). A zero-magnetization ferromagnet Sm_{0.976}Gd_{0.024}Al_{2} with a diamond-type structure presents Dirac multipoles at basis-forbidden reflections that include the standard (2, 2, 2) reflection. Magnetic amplitudes measured at four such reflections are in full accord with a structure factor calculated from the appropriate magnetic space group.