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Ross Harvey Colman

Publications and source records attributed to Ross Harvey Colman.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Random singlet physics in the $S = \frac{1}{2}$ pyrochlore antiferromagnet NaCdCu$_2$F$_7$

We report a random singlet ground state in the $S=\frac{1}{2}$ Heisenberg pyrochlore antiferromagnet NaCdCu$_2$F$_7$. Cationic Na$^+$/Cd$^{2+}$ disorder on the pyrochlore $A$ site generates a broad distribution of Cu$^{2+}$--F$^-$--Cu$^{2+}$ exchange couplings, introducing intrinsic magnetic bond disorder. Despite strong antiferromagnetic interactions ($θ_{\mathrm{CW}}=-72$~K), no magnetic order or global spin freezing is observed in DC and AC susceptibility, specific heat or $^{23}$Na nuclear magnetic resonance to 120 mK, with muon spin relaxation experiments confirming persistent spin dynamics to 58 mK. $T$-linear specific heat, a Curie-like susceptibility tail, and power-law scaling with data collapse in $χ(T)$, $M(H)$, $C_{\mathrm{mag}}/T$, $^{23}$Na $(1/T_1T)$ and the muon spin polarization $P(t)$ reveal a disorder-driven network of random singlets and orphan spins. Scaling across multiple bulk and local probes is consistent with a broad distribution of exchange energies, $P[\mathcal{J}] \sim \mathcal{J}^{-α}$. This behavior contrasts with previously-studied Na$A''B_2$F$_7$ pyrochlore fluorides, where magnetic bond disorder precipitates spin-glass freezing, underscoring the crucial role of strong $S=\frac{1}{2}$ quantum fluctuations in NaCdCu$_2$F$_7$.

cond-mat.str-el

Glassy disordered ground states in the frustrated pyrochlore and fluorite antiferromagnets NaCd$M_2$F$_7$ ($M$ = Ni$^{2+}$, Mn$^{2+}$)

We report the crystal structures, magnetic and thermodynamic properties of two magnetically frustrated $A$'$A$"$M_2$F$_7$-type antiferromagnets, NaCdNi$_2$F$_7$ and NaCdMn$_2$F$_7$. While NaCdNi$_2$F$_7$ forms a stable pyrochlore structure (SG: $Fd \overline{3} m$, #227) with magnetic $S$ = 1 Ni$^{2+}$ ions on the frustrated pyrochlore 16$c$ site and fully disordered non-magnetic Na$^+$/Cd$^{2+}$ ions on the pyrochlore 16$d$ site, NaCdMn$_2$F$_7$ favors the defect-fluorite structure (SG: $Fm \overline{3} m$, #225) with magnetic $S$ = 5/2 Mn$^{2+}$ and non-magnetic Na$^+$ and Cd$^{2+}$ ions fully disordered on the fluorite 4$a$ site. This is a result of the Mn$^{2+}$ ionic radius being too close to the average Na$^+$/Cd$^{2+}$ ionic radius, hindering the cationic site ordering towards the stable pyrochlore structure. In both cases, dominant antiferromagnetic interactions $θ_{CW,Ni}$ = -91.2(5) K and $θ_{CW,Mn}$ = -42.4(4) K are noted, with no magnetic transition until $T_{f,Ni}$ = 3.2 K and $T_{f,Mn}$ = 2.0 K, implying substantial frustration, with frustration indices $f_{Ni}$ = 28.5 and $f_{Mn}$ = 21. AC susceptibility measurements and bifurcation of ZFC/FC low-field magnetization indicate a glassy ground-state, precipitated by the magnetic-bond-disorder stemming from the inherent structural disorder.

cond-mat.str-el

Robustness of the pyrochlore structure in rare-earth A2Ir2O7 iridates and pressure-induced structural transformation in IrO2

A comprehensive study of the structural properties of the heavily investigated rare-earth A2Ir2O7 series under extreme conditions is presented. The series is covered by studying iridates with A = Pr, Sm, Dy-Lu. Temperature- and pressure-dependent synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction experiments reveal robustness of the pyrochlore structure throughout the rare-earth series, down to 4 K and up to 20 GPa. The thermal expansivity and pressure compressibility are determined, including Debye temperature, bulk modulus and Grüneisen parameter. Temperature and pressure evolution of the fractional coordinate of oxygen at 48f Wyckoff position, the sole free atomic position parameter, is investigated and discussed regarding the antiferromagnetic ordering of the Ir magnetic moments. In addition, the pressure evolution of the crystal structure of an IrO2 minority phase is followed. The tetragonal rutile-type structure is orthorhombically distorted at 15 GPa, and the orthorhombic structure is not fully stabilised up to 20 GPa.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci