Dr Dharmalingam Prabhakaran

Abstract:

We present the results of muon-spin relaxation (μ+ SR) measurements on the kagome staircase compounds Ni3 V2 O8 and Co3 V2 O8. The magnetic behavior of these materials may be described in terms of two inequivalent magnetic ion sites, known as spine sites and cross-tie sites. Our μ+ SR results allow us to probe each of these sites individually, revealing the distribution of the local magnetic fields near these positions. We are able not only to confirm the magnetic structures of the various phases proposed on the basis of bulk measurements but also to give an insight into the temperature evolution of the local field distribution in each phase. © 2007 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

Sodium cobaltate (Na(x)CoO2) has emerged as a material of exceptional scientific interest due to the potential for thermoelectric applications, and because the strong interplay between the magnetic and superconducting properties has led to close comparisons with the physics of the superconducting copper oxides. The density x of the sodium in the intercalation layers can be altered electrochemically, directly changing the number of conduction electrons on the triangular Co layers. Recent electron diffraction measurements reveal a kaleidoscope of Na+ ion patterns as a function of concentration. Here we use single-crystal neutron diffraction supported by numerical simulations to determine the long-range three-dimensional superstructures of these ions. We show that the sodium ordering and its associated distortion field are governed by pure electrostatics, and that the organizational principle is the stabilization of charge droplets that order long range at some simple fractional fillings. Our results provide a good starting point to understand the electronic properties in terms of a Hubbard hamiltonian that takes into account the electrostatic potential from the Na superstructures. The resulting depth of potential wells in the Co layer is greater than the single-particle hopping kinetic energy and as a consequence, holes preferentially occupy the lowest potential regions. Thus we conclude that the Na+ ion patterning has a decisive role in the transport and magnetic properties.

Abstract:

We report the complex refractive index of La5/3Sr1/3NiO4 over the terahertz frequency range, obtained using time-domain spectroscopy. Negligible change in the complex refractive index with magnetic flux densities up to 6T was seen, while changes were observed as the lattice temperature was increased from 1.5 K to the charge-ordering temperature at 220 K. The terahertz frequency response therefore originates from the dielectric function rather than the magnetic permeability.

Abstract:

The magnetic ground state of a single crystalline bilayered manganite La1.1 Sr1.9 Mn2 O7 is investigated using bulk magnetic measurements. Besides large relaxation times, memory effects reminiscent of that seen in spin glasses are also observed both in the field cooled and zero field cooled measurement protocols. These indicate that this system is not a canted antiferromagnet as was reported earlier, but on the contrary has an inhomogenous magnetic ground state arising as a consequence of phase separation. We also report the observation of sharp metamagnetic steps in this bilayered manganite, similar to that seen in phase separated three-dimensional perovskites. © 2006 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

Magnetoelectronic phase separation plays an integral part in many recent advances in the understanding of correlated electron systems. We have studied the magnetically phase separated material La1-x Srx Co O3 and observe unambiguous evidence of magnetic interactions between hole-rich ferromagnetic clusters and the neighboring hole poor matrix. We suggest that this mechanism detected here plays an important role in the rich electrical and magnetic properties of La1-x Srx Co O3. © 2006 The American Physical Society.