arXiv subjects

Ola K. Forslund

Publications and source records attributed to Ola K. Forslund.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Electronic excitations in the Shastry-Sutherland compound SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$

SrCu2(BO3)2 (SCBO) is a paradigmatic realization of the Shastry-Sutherland model, hosting geometrically frustrated spin dimers and a variety of quantum magnetic phases and phenomena. Although its magnetic properties have been extensively studied, the high-energy electronic excitations that determine the crystal-field environment and Cu-O hybridization have remained largely unexplored. Here we combine Cu L3-edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS), broadband optical spectroscopy, and electronic-structure calculations to determine the relevant local and interband excitation energy scales in SCBO. RIXS resolves a well-defined manifold of localized Cu2+ d-d excitations between 1.8 and 2.4 eV, whose energies and polarization dependence are well reproduced by multireference quantum-chemistry calculations. In contrast, optical spectroscopy identifies charge-transfer excitations with an absorption onset near 1.2-1.6 eV and a broader higher-energy structure around 4.5 eV, which are qualitatively captured by DFT+U calculations. Taken together, these results define the characteristic energy scales of d-d and CT excitations, offering quantitative benchmarks for computational frameworks and providing essential input for refining superexchange-based magnetic models of this prototypical frustrated quantum antiferromagnet.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Characterization of Nuclear and Magnetic Structures of Wolframite-Type MgReO4 and ZnReO4

We utilized high-pressure methods to synthesize the oxides AReO$4$ (A=Zn, Mg) and characterized their crystal structures as monoclinic wolframite-type. By combining muon spin spectroscopy ($μ^+$SR) with DFT calculations for muon stopping sites, we identify two possible magnetic spin structures for both compounds: $Γ_3$ with the propagation vector $\mathbf{k} = (0,1/2,0)$ and $Γ_4$ with $\mathbf{k} = (0,0,0)$. In both cases, the magnetic moments are canted from the principal axes within the $ac$-plane. The ordered moment of the proposed structures is $\mathbf{0.29(5)~μ\mathrm{B}}$ for $Γ_3$ and $\mathbf{0.25(8)~μ_\mathrm{B}}$ for $Γ_4$. The low moment is consistent with the absence of a magnetic contribution to the neutron powder diffraction (NPD) spectra. Bond valence sum (BVS) analysis supports the oxidation state of Re being Re$^{6+}$ in the compounds, and we suggest that a combination of $t_\mathrm{2g}$ orbital splitting due to spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and $d$-$p$ orbital hybridization is responsible for the strongly suppressed ordered magnetic moment.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Revised Magnetic Structure and Tricritical Behavior of the CMR Compound NaCr$_2$O$_4$ Investigated with High Resolution Neutron Diffraction and $μ^+$SR

The mixed valence Cr compound NaCr$_2$O$_4$, synthesized using a high-pressure technique, offers a unique playground for investigating unconventional physical properties in condensed matter. In the present study, muon spin rotation/relaxation ($μ^+$SR) and high-resolution neutron powder diffraction (NPD) measurements were carried out to clarify the true magnetic ground state of this interesting compound. Our detailed study brings new insight, allowing us to confirm the existence of a commensurate antiferromagnetic order (C-AFM) and to extract its ordered Cr moment $μ^{\rm C}_{\rm Cr}=(4.30\pm0.01)μ_B$. Such a value of the ordered moment is in fact compatible with the existence of high-spin Cr sites. Further, the value of the canting angle of the Cr spin axial vector is refined as $θ_{\rm c}=(8.8\pm0.5)^{\circ}$. Employing high-quality samples in combination with time-of-flight NPD, a novel magnetic supercell was also revealed. Such supercell display an incommensurate (IC)-AFM propagation vector (0~0~${\textstyle \frac{1}{2}-}δ$), having an ordered moment $μ^{\rm IC}_{\rm Cr}=(2.20\pm0.03)μ_B$. It is suggested that the C-AFM and IC-AFM modulations are due to itinerant and localized contributions to the magnetic moment, respectively. Finally, the direct measurement of the magnetic order parameter provided a value of the critical exponent $β= 0.245 \approx \frac{1}{4}$, suggesting a non conventional critical behavior for the magnetic phase transition in NaCr$_2$O$_4$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Na-ion Dynamics in the Solid Solution Na$_{\rm x}$Ca$_{1- \rm x}$Cr$_2$O$_4$ Studied by Muon Spin Rotation and Neutron Diffraction

In this work we present systematic set of measurements carried out by muon spin rotation/relaxation ($μ^+$SR) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) on the solid solution Na$_{\rm x}$Ca$_{1- \rm x}$Cr$_2$O$_4$. This study investigates Na-ion dynamics in the quasi-1D (Q1D) diffusion channels created by the honeycomb-like arrangement of CrO$_6$ octahedra, in the presence of defects introduced by Ca doping. With increasing Ca content, the size of the diffusion channels is enlarged, however, this effect does not enhance the Na ion mobility. Instead the overall diffusivity is hampered by the local defects and the Na hopping probability is lowered. The diffusion mechanism in Na$_{\rm x}$Ca$_{1- \rm x}$Cr$_2$O$_4$ was found to be interstitial and the activation energy as well as diffusion coefficient were determined for all the members of the solid solution.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Magnetic nature of wolframite MgReO$_4$

Rhenium oxides belonging to the family $A$ReO$_4$ where $A$ is a metal cation, exhibit interesting electronic and magnetic properties. In this study we have utilized the muon spin rotation/relaxation ($μ^+$SR) technique to study the magnetic properties of the MgReO$_4$ compound. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation reported on this interesting material, that is stabilized in a wolframite crystal structure using a special high-pressure synthesis technique. Bulk magnetic studies show the onset of an antiferromagnetic (AF) long range order, or a possible singlet spin state at $T_{\rm C1}\approx90$~K, with a subtle second high-temperature transition at $T_{\rm C2}\approx280$~K. Both transitions are also confirmed by heat capacity ($C_p$) measurements. From our $μ^+$SR measurements, it is clear that the sample enters an AF order below $T_{\rm C1}=T_{\rm N}\approx85$~K. We find no evidence of magnetic signal above $T_{\rm N}$, which indicates that $T_{\rm C2}$ is likely linked to a structural transition. Further, via sensitive zero field (ZF) $μ^+$SR measurements we find evidence of a spin reorientation at $T_{\rm Cant}\approx65$~K. This points towards a transition from a collinear AF into a canted AF order at low temperature, which is proposed to be driven by competing magnetic interactions.

cond-mat.str-el↗