Amalia Coldea

Abstract:

Polycrystalline samples of Sr3MnRuO7 and Sr2Mn0.5Ru0.5O4 have been synthesized and characterized by neutron diffraction, dc magnetometry, and magnetotransport measurements. They are, respectively, n = 2 and n = 1 members of the Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) An+1BnO3n+1 family; both have tetragonal (I4/mmm) symmetry and a disordered distribution of Ru and Mn over the six-coordinate sites within the perovskite layers of the RP structure. Neither compound shows long-range magnetic order at 2 K, but a spin-glass transition is observed at 16 K (n = 1) or 25 K (n = 2). In the case of the n = 2 compound only, the magnetic transition is accompanied by a reduction in the zero-field electrical conductivity. A maximum magnetoresistance of ∼8% in 14 T is found in both compounds.

Abstract:

We report the growth of single crystals of La1-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0.0-0.3) by the floating-zone technique in an image furnace under high argon pressure (6-8 atm). Ail excess of Mn in the polycrystalline starting material was used to compensate for the evaporation during growth. single crystals of diameter 8 mm and length 70 mm have been obtained. The phase purity, composition and quality of the crystals were analysed by X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. We discuss the effect on the crystal growth of varying the amount of Mn excess and of the composition of the growth atmosphere. We also present magnetization and resistivity data for a few of the samples. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract:

Oxidation of the ferromagnetic B-site diluted manganese(III) perovskite La2GaMnO6 is investigated by synthesis of the La2-xSrxGaMnO6 series. At the x = 0.3 composition, which corresponds to diamagnetic element substitution at the B-site of metallic LaO.7SrO.3MnO3, the MnIII and MnIV valences order in real space at low temperature with an unusual lamellar motif. Orbital ordering at the MnIII centers in this array maintains ferromagnetism and enhances the static coherent Jahn-Teller distortion over that found for the pure MnIII end-member, facilitating eg electron hopping in the insulating state. Further oxidation to x = 0.5 completely suppresses the charge and orbital ordering, leading to glassy rather than long-range ordered magnetism.

Abstract:

We present the results of muon-spin-relaxation experiments for two materials which show geometric frustration. ZnCr22O4 has a spinel structure with S = 3/2 spins on a lattice of corner-sharing tetrahedra. Our experiments show that a local magnetic field which is quasi-static on the muon timescale develops below Tc = 12.5 K, a transition which has been associated with a three-dimensional analogue of the spin-Peierls transition. In contrast, Gd3Ga5O12 has a garnet structure with S = 7/2 spins arranged on interpenetrating triangular sublattices. In this material the muon data exhibit a temperature-dependent spin-relaxation rate indicative of slow spin fluctuations. We discuss these differing behaviours and relate them to the underlying physics in the two materials.