No Arabic abstract
We present a novel hydrated layered manganate MgMn$_3$O$_7$$cdot$3H$_2$O as a maple-leaf-lattice (MLL) antiferromagnet candidate. The MLL is obtained by regularly depleting 1/7 of the lattice points from a triangular lattice so that the magnetic connectivity $z = 5$ and is thus intermediately frustrated between the triangular ($z = 6$) and kagome ($z = 4$) lattices. In MgMn$_3$O$_7$$cdot$3H$_2$O, the Mn$^{4+}$ ions, carrying Heisenberg spin 3/2, form a regular MLL lattice in the quasi-two-dimensional structure. Magnetization and heat capacity measurements using a hydrothermally-prepared powder sample reveal successive antiferromagnetic transitions at 5 and 15 K. A high-field magnetization curve up to 60 T at 1.3 K exhibits a multi-step plateau-like anomaly. We discuss the unique frustration of the MLL antiferromagnet in which the chiraldegree of freedom may play an important role.
We report the crystal growth and structural and magnetic properties of quasi two-dimensional $S=1/2$ quantum magnet Cu[C$_6$H$_2$(COO)$_4$][H$_3$N-(CH$_2$)$_2$-NH$_3$]$cdot$3H$_2$O. It is found to crystallize in a monoclinic structure with space group $C2/m$. The CuO$_4$ plaquettes are connected into a two-dimensional framework in the $ab$-plane through the anions of [C$_6$H$_2$(COO)$_4$]$^{4-}$ (pyromellitic acid). The [H$_3$N-(CH$_2$)$_2$-NH$_3$]$^{2+}$$cdot$3H$_2$O groups are located between the layers and provide a weak interlayer connection via hydrogen (H...O) bonds. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility is well described by $S=1/2$ frustrated square lattice ($J_1-J_2$) model with nearest-neighbor interaction $J_1/k_{rm B} simeq 5.35$ K and next-nearest-neighbor interaction $J_2/k_{rm B} simeq -0.01$ K. Even, our analysis using frustrated rectangular lattice ($J_{1a,b}-J_2$) model confirms almost isotropic nearest-neighbour interactions ($J_{rm 1a}/k_{rm B} simeq 5.31$ K and $J_{rm 1b}/k_{rm B} simeq 5.38$ K) in the $ab$-plane and $J_2/k_{rm B}simeq-0.24$ K. Further, the isothermal magnetization at $T=1.9$ K is also well described by a non-frustrated square lattice model with $J_1/k_{rm B} simeq 5.2$ K. Based on the $J_2/J_1$ ratio, the compound can be placed in the N{e}el antiferromagnetic state of the $J_1 - J_2$ phase diagram. No signature of magnetic long-range-order was detected down to 2 K.
Magnetic frustration in three dimensions (3D) manifests itself in the spin-$frac12$ insulator Li$_2$CuW$_2$O$_8$. Density-functional band-structure calculations reveal a peculiar spin lattice built of triangular planes with frustrated interplane couplings. The saturation field of 29 T contrasts with the susceptibility maximum at 8.5 K and a relatively low Neel temperature $T_Nsimeq 3.9$ K. Magnetic order below $T_N$ is collinear with the propagation vector $(0,frac12,0)$ and an ordered moment of 0.65(4) $mu_B$ according to neutron diffraction data. This reduced ordered moment together with the low maximum of the magnetic specific heat ($C^{max}/Rsimeq 0.35$) pinpoint strong magnetic frustration in 3D. Collinear magnetic order suggests that quantum fluctuations play crucial role in this system, where a non-collinear spiral state would be stabilized classically.
In the metallic pyrochlore Nd$_2$Mo$_2$O$_7$, the conducting Molybdenum sublattice adopts canted, yet nearly collinear ferromagnetic order with nonzero scalar spin chirality. The chemical potential may be controlled by replacing Nd$^{3+}$ with Ca$^{2+}$, while introducing only minimal additional disorder to the conducting states. Here, we demonstrate the stability of the canted ferromagnetic state, including the tilting angle of Molybdenum spins, in (Nd$_{1-x}$Ca$_{x}$)$_2$Mo$_2$O$_7$ (NCMO) with $xle 0.15$ using magnetic susceptibility measurements. Mo-Mo and Mo-Nd magnetic couplings both change sign above $x=0.22$, where the canted ferromagnetic state gives way to a spin-glass metallic region. Contributions to the Curie-Weiss law from two magnetic sublattices are separated systematically.
Layered perovskites $A_3M_2$O$_7$ are known to exhibit the so-called hybrid improper ferroelectricity. Despite experimentally confirmed cases (e.g. nonmagnetic $M$=Ti and Sn), the ferroelectricity in magnetic Ca$_3$Mn$_2$O$_7$ remains a puzzle. Here, the structural, ferroelectric, magnetoelectric, and optical properties of Ca$_3$Mn$_2$O$_7$ are systematically investigated. Switchable polarization is directly measured, demonstrating its ferroelectricity. In addition, magnetoelectric response is also evidenced, implying the coupling between magnetism and ferroelectricity. Furthermore, strong visible light absorption is observed, which can be understood from its electronic structure. Its direct and appropriate band gap, as well as wide conducting bands, makes Ca$_3$Mn$_2$O$_7$ a potential candidate for ferroelectric photoelectric applications.
Using {it ab initio} methods, we investigate the modification of the magnetic properties of the $m=2$ member of the strontium iridates Ruddlesden-Popper series Sr$_{m+1}$Ir$_{m}$O$_{3m+1}$, bilayer Sr$_3$Ir$_2$O$_7$, induced by epitaxial strain and oxygen vacancies. Unlike the single layer compound Sr$_2$IrO$_4$, which exhibits a robust in-plane magnetic order, the energy difference between in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic orderings in Sr$_3$Ir$_2$O$_7$ is much smaller and it is expected that small external perturbations could induce magnetic transitions. Our results indicate that epitaxial strain yields a spin-flop transition, that is driven by the crossover between the intralayer $J_1$ and interlayer $J_2$ magnetic exchange interactions upon compressive strain. While $J_1$ is essentially insensitive to strain effects, the strength of $J_2$ changes by one order of magnitude for tensile strains $geq$ 3~%. In addition, our study clarifies that the unusual in-plane magnetic response observed in Sr$_3$Ir$_2$O$_7$ upon the application of an external magnetic field originates from the canting of the local magnetic moments due to oxygen vacancies, which tilt the octahedral networks - thereby allowing for noncollinear spin configurations.