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Register a new userDeviation from the dipole-ice model in the new spinel spin-ice candidate, MgEr$_2$Se$_4$
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Added by
Dalmau Reig-i-Plessis
Publication date
2017
fields
Physics
and research's language is
English
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In spin ice research, small variations in structure or interactions drive a multitude of different behaviors, yet the collection of known materials relies heavily on the `227 pyrochlore structure. Here, we present thermodynamic, structural and inelastic neutron scattering data on a new spin-ice material, MgEr$_2$Se$_4$, which contributes to the relatively under-explored family of rare-earth spinel chalcogenides. X-ray and neutron diffraction confirm a normal spinel structure, and places Er$^{3+}$ moments on an ideal pyrochlore sublattice. Measurement of crystal electric field excitations with inelastic neutron scattering confirms that the moments have perfect Ising character, and further identifies the ground state Kramers doublet as having dipolar-octupolar form with a significant multipolar character. Heat capacity and magnetic neutron diffuse scattering have ice-like features, but are inconsistent with Monte Carlo simulations of the nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor dipolar spin-ice (DSI) models. A significant remnant entropy is observed as $Trightarrow0$~K, but again falls short of the full Pauling expectation for DSI, unless significant disorder is added. We show that these observations are fully in-line with what is recently reported for CdEr$_2$Se$_4$, and point to the importance of quantum fluctuations in these materials.
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The intrinsic noncollinear spin patterns in rare-earth pyrochlore are physically interesting, hosting many emergent properties, e.g. spin ice and monopole-type excitation. Recently, the magnetic monopole excitation of spin ice systems was predicted to be magnetoelectric active, while rare experimental works have directly confirmed this scenario. In this work, we performed systematic experimental investigation on the magnetoelectricity of Dy$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$ by probing the ferroelectricity, spin dynamics, and dielectric behaviors. Two ferroelectric transitions at $T_{c1}$=25 K and $T_{c2}$=13 K have been observed. Remarkable magnetoelectric coupling is identified below the lower transition temperature, with a significant suppression of the electric polarization upon applied magnetic field. It is surprised that the lower ferroelectric transition temperature just coincides with the Ising-spin paramagnetic transition point, below which the quasi-particle-like monopoles are populated, indicating implicit correlation between electric dipoles and spin moments. The possible magnetoelectric mechanisms have also been discussed although a decent theory remains unavailable up to date. Our results will stimulate more investigations to explore multiferroicity in these spin ice systems and other frustrated magnets.
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