Prof Radu Coldea

Abstract:

We describe neutron-scattering experiments performed to investigate the magnetic order and dynamics of half-doped La1.5Sr0.5CoO4. This layered perovskite exhibits a near-ideal checkerboard pattern of Co2+/Co3+ charge order at temperatures below ~800 K. Magnetic correlations are observed at temperatures below ~60 K but the magnetic order only becomes established at 31 K, a temperature at which a kink is observed in the susceptibility. On warming above 31 K we observed a change in the magnetic correlations which we attribute either to a spin canting or to a change in the proportion of inequivalent magnetic domains. The magnetic excitation spectrum is dominated by an intense band extending above a gap of approximately 3 meV up to a maximum energy of 16 meV. A weaker band exists in the energy range of 20–30 meV. We show that the excitation spectrum is in excellent quantitative agreement with the predictions of a spin-wave theory generalized to include the full magnetic degrees of freedom of high-spin Co2+ ions in an axially distorted crystal field, coupled by Heisenberg exchange interactions. The magnetic order is found to be stabilized by dominant antiferromagnetic Co2+–Co2+ interactions acting in a straight line through Co3+. No evidence is found for magnetic scattering from the Co3+ ions, supporting the view that Co3+ is in the S=0 state in this material.

Abstract:

We report the electronic and magnetic behaviour of the frustrated triangular metallic antiferromagnet 2H-AgNiO2 in high magnetic fields (54 T) using thermodynamic and transport measurements. Here localized d electrons are arranged on an antiferromagnetic triangular lattice nested inside a honeycomb lattice with itinerant d electrons. When the magnetic field is along the easy axis we observe a cascade of field-induced transitions, attributed to the competition between easy-axis anisotropy, geometrical frustration and coupling of the localized and itinerant system. The quantum oscillations data suggest that the Fermi surface is reconstructed by the magnetic order but in high fields magnetic breakdown orbits are possible. The itinerant electrons are extremely sensitive to scattering by spin fluctuations and a significant mass enhancement (~ 3) is found.