The magnetic crystal disrortion of weakly ferromagnetic α-Fe2O3 was investigated by x-ray diffraction techniques. Here crystal distortion is taken as the temperature dependent changes of lattice constants and thermal expansion coefficients. Moreover, the oxygen position parameter and the carbon-oxygen distance of MnCO3 were determined.

The lattice constants and thermal expansion coefficients of α-Fe2O3 were measured from room temperature down to 243°K. The crystal distortion, as measured by the changes in lattice constants, thermal expansion coefficients and axial ratio, was found to be highly anisotropic. The co hexagonal lattice constant was influenced very slightly by magnetic distortion; it changed only by 0.01 percent between room temperature and the Morin temperature of 254°K. On the other hand, the ao lattice constant changes by 0.11 percent between room temperature and the Morin temperature. The thermal expansion coefficients of the lattice constants showed a similar contrast. The co coefficient was found to be independent of temperature from room temperature down to the Morin temperature. However, in the same temperature range, the ao coefficient showed an anomalous increase with decreasing temperature. In addition, the ao coefficient showed an infinite discontinuity at the Morin temperature.

The change in the axial ratio with temperature suggests that the net weak ferromagnetic moment of α-Fe2O3 reaches a maximum at 275°K.

The oxygen position parameter, x, in MnCO3 as determined from two reflections has a value of 0.2702 ± 0.001. The carbon-oxygen distance as calculated from the lattice constants and the oxygen position parameter is 1.29 ±0.002 Å. This value is another confirmation of the Pauling theory of the resonating carbonate structure.