Crystal structure of the inversion-breaking metal Cd2Re2O7


Abstract in English

Second harmonic generation (SHG) on the pyrochlore metal Cd2Re2O7 indicates the presence of three order parameters setting in below an inversion breaking transition. Here, we explore a possible structural explanation and relate it not only to the SHG data, but also to neutron and x-ray diffraction, where we find that such a structural scenario can explain certain reflection extinctions observed in single crystal x-ray data. From this analysis, we suggest future experiments that could be done to resolve this matter. Finally, we comment on the Landau-violating nature of the inversion breaking transition and its relation to similar phenomena observed in improper ferroelectrics.

Download