AbstractThe electron probe is shown to be an effective tool for the analysis of the series of ferrimagnetic oxides referred to as the hexagonal ferrites. This series of compounds) containing barium, Fe3+, and a divalent metal cation, is formed by an ordered stacking of basic structural units in varying ratios. The ideal, complex stoichiornewy of these polytype-like mixed-layer structures can be computed from X-ray unit cell data; the various structures and their predicted stoichiometry are reviewed. Results of electron probe analysis of zinc-bearing single-crystal hexagonal ferrites are compared with theoretical values, the various correction procedures applied to the probe data are presented, and the limitations of the method in the analysis of hexagonal ferrites are discussed. The information obtained from this study has laid the groundwork for the determination of chemistry in substituted members of the hexagonal ferrite group, and will contribute significantly to the interpretation of the magnetic properties exhibited by these compounds.
