Phenomenological theory of spin-orbit phase transitions

Abstract

This work is devoted to the logical proof of the Goodenough and Khomskii idea of the existence of spin-orbit transitions in transition magnetic crystals. In agreement with the basics of the Landau theory of phase transitions the phenomenological theory of spin-orbit transitions is constructed. The general scheme of the theory is illustrated by the application to the description of magnetic and structural transformations in the copper ferrite CuFe2O4.