Dipolar-driven mean-field criticality in the ferrimagnet Eu$_2$MnSi$_2$O$_7$

Abstract

We report mean-field critical behavior in Eu$_2$MnSi$_2$O$_7$, a melilite-type ferrimagnet with spin-only Eu$^{2+}$ and Mn$^{2+}$ moments and negligible orbital contributions. Magnetization measurements combined with neutron powder diffraction reveal critical exponents close to the mean-field values, indicating that long-range dipolar interactions govern the asymptotic critical behavior in this insulating ferrimagnet. The refined magnetic structure, described by the magnetic space group $P2_12_1^\prime2^\prime$, exhibits a tilted ferrimagnetic configuration driven by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, reflecting the noncentrosymmetric nature of the lattice. These results extend the applicability of mean-field theory to complex insulating magnets and establish Eu$_2$MnSi$_2$O$_7$ as a platform for exploring ferrimagnetism and long-range interactions. To our knowledge, this is the first insulating ferrimagnet in which dipolar interactions drive mean-field criticality.