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arXiv · 1603.08022

Orthogonal Magnetization and Symmetry Breaking in Pyrochlore Iridate Eu2Ir2O7

Tian Liang·Timothy H. Hsieh·Jun J. Ishikawa·Satoru Nakatsuji·Liang Fu·N. P. Ong
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Abstract

Electrons in the pyrochore iridates experience a large interaction energy in addition to a strong spin-orbit interaction. Both features make the iridates promising for realizing novel states such as the Topological Mott Insulator. The pyrochlore iridate Eu$_2$Ir$_2$O$_7$ shows a metal-insulator transition at $T_N \sim$ 120 K below which a magnetically ordered state develops. Using torque magnetometry, we uncover a highly unusual magnetic response. A magnetic field $\bf H$ applied in its $a$-$b$ plane produces a nonlinear magnetization $M_\perp$ orthogonal to the plane. $M_\perp$ displays a $d$-wave field-angle pattern consistent with octupolar order, with a handedness dictated by field cooling, leading to symmetry breaking of the chirality $ω$. A surprise is that the lobe orientation of the $d$-wave pattern is sensitive to the direction of the field when the sample is field-cooled below $T_N$, suggestive of an additional order parameter $η$ already present at 300 K.

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Tian Liang, Timothy H. Hsieh, Jun J. Ishikawa, Satoru Nakatsuji, Liang Fu, N. P. Ong. 2017-09-20. Orthogonal Magnetization and Symmetry Breaking in Pyrochlore Iridate Eu2Ir2O7. https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys4051

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