Professor Stephen Blundell

Abstract:

We have used zero-field muon-spin rotation to study the local magnetic properties of SrRu O3, Y2 Ru2 O7, and La2 Ru O5. While SrRu O3 and Y2 Ru2 O7 give rise to coherent precession signals, in La2 Ru O5 we find no signature of long range magnetic order below the structural transition, but observe relaxation consistent with that expected due to a dimerization into spin-singlet states. In Y2 Ru2 O7 we observe two precession signals with different temperature dependences, consistent with the nature of the noncollinear ordering being temperature dependent. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

Zero-field muon-spin relaxation measurements of the frustrated triangular quantum magnet AgNiO2 are consistent with a model of charge disproportionation that has been advanced to explain the structural and magnetic properties of this compound. Below an ordering temperature of TN=19.9(2) K we observe six distinct muon precession frequencies, due to the magnetic order, which can be accounted for with a model describing the probable muon sites. The precession frequencies show an unusual temperature evolution which is suggestive of the separate evolution of two opposing magnetic sublattices.

Abstract:

We have developed an analytical model of angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations (AMROs) in a quasi-two-dimensional metal in which magnetic breakdown occurs. The model takes account of all the contributions from quasiparticles undergoing both magnetic breakdown and Bragg reflection at each junction and allows extremely efficient simulation of data which can be compared with recent experimental results on the organic metal κ- (BEDT-TTF)2 Cu (NCS)2. AMROs resulting from both closed and open orbits emerge naturally at low field, and the model enables the transition to breakdown-AMROs with increasing field to be described in detail. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

The information accessible from a muon-spin relaxation experiment can be limited due to a lack of knowledge of the precise muon stopping site. We demonstrate here the possibility of localizing a spin polarized muon in a known stopping state in a molecular material containing fluorine. The muon-spin precession that results from the entangled nature of the muon spin and surrounding nuclear spins is sensitive to the nature of the stopping site. We use this property to identify three classes of sites that occur in molecular magnets and describe the extent to which the muon distorts its surroundings.