arXiv subjects

S. J. Blundell

Publications and source records attributed to S. J. Blundell.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Muon spin relaxation study of LaTiO3 and YTiO3

We report muon spin relaxation measurements on two Ti3+ containing perovskites, LaTiO3 and YTiO3, which display long range magnetic order at low temperature. For both materials, oscillations in the time-dependence of the muon polarization are observed which are consistent with three-dimensional magnetic order. From our data we identify two magnetically inequivalent muon stopping sites. The muon spin relaxation results are compared with the magnetic structures of these compounds previously derived from neutron diffraction and muon spin relaxation studies on structurally similar compounds.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Exchange parameters of copper-based quasi-two-dimensional Heisenberg magnets measured using high magnetic fields and muon-spin rotation

Pulsed-field magnetization experiments (fields $B$ of up to 85 T and temperatures $T$ down to 0.4 K) are reported on nine organic Cu-based two-dimensional (2D) Heisenberg magnets. All compounds show a low-$T$ magnetization that is concave as a function of $B$, with a sharp ``elbow'' transition to a constant value at a field $B_{\rm c}$. Monte-Carlo simulations including a finite interlayer exchange energy $J_{\perp}$ quantitatively reproduce the data; the concavity indicates the effective dimensionality and $B_{\rm c}$ is an accurate measure of the in-plane exchange energy $J$. Using these values and Neél temperatures measured by muon-spin rotation, it is also possible to obtain a quantitative estimate of $|J_{\perp}/J|$. In the light of these results, it is suggested that in magnets of the form [Cu(HF$_2$)(pyz)$_2$]X, where X is an anion, the sizes of $J$ and $J_{\perp}$ are controlled by the tilting of the pyrazine (pyz) molecule with respect to the 2D planes.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillations due to magnetic breakdown orbits

We present experimental evidence for a hitherto unconfirmed type of angle-dependent magnetoresistance oscillation caused by magnetic breakdown. The effect was observed in the organic superconductor kappa-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu(NCS)$_2$ using hydrostatic pressures of up to 9.8 kbar and magnetic fields of up to 33 T. In addition, we show that similar oscillations are revealed in ambient pressure measurements, provided that the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations are suppressed either by elevated temperatures or filtering of the data. These results provide a compelling validation of Pippard's semiclassical picture of magnetic breakdown.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Anomalous temperature evolution of the internal magnetic field distribution in the charge-ordered triangular antiferromagnet AgNiO2

Zero-field muon-spin relaxation measurements of the frustrated triangular quantum magnet AgNiO2 are consistent with a model of charge disproportionation that has been advanced to explain the structural and magnetic properties of this compound. Below an ordering temperature of T_N=19.9(2) K we observe six distinct muon precession frequencies, due to the magnetic order, which can be accounted for with a model describing the probable muon sites. The precession frequencies show an unusual temperature evolution which is suggestive of the separate evolution of two opposing magnetic sublattices.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Muon-fluorine entangled states in molecular magnets

The information accessible from a muon-spin relaxation experiment is often limited since we lack knowledge of the precise muon stopping site. We demonstrate here the possibility of localizing a spin polarized muon in a known stopping state in a molecular material containing fluorine. The muon-spin precession that results from the entangled nature of the muon-spin and surrounding nuclear spins is sensitive to the nature of the stopping site and we use this property to identify three classes of site. We are also able to describe the extent to which the muon distorts its surroundings.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

A muon-spin relaxation study of BiMnO3

We present the results of muon-spin relaxation measurements on ferromagnetic BiMnO3. Below T_C=98.0(1) K oscillations in the time-dependence of the muon polarization are observed, characteristic of a quasistatic magnetic field at a single muon site, allowing us to probe the critical behaviour associated with the magnetic phase transition. We are able to suggest candidate muon sites on the basis of dipole field calculations. Close to T_C, fluctuations of the Mn^3+ moments are characteristic of critical behaviour while there is a sharp crossover to a region of fast dynamic fluctuations at higher temperatures.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Magnetism in Geometrically Frustrated YMnO3 Under Hydrostatic Pressure Studied with Implanted Muons

The rare-earth ferroelectromagnet YMnO3 consists of weakly coupled triangular layers of S=2 spins. Below T_N ~ 70 K muon-spin relaxation data show two oscillatory relaxing signals due to magnetic order, with no relaxing signal resolvable (which would be expected for different coexisting spin distributions). The transition temperature T_N increases with applied hydrostatic pressure, even though the ordered moment decreases. These results suggest that pressure increases both the exchange coupling between the layers and the frustration within the layers.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Magnetism in the high-Tc analogue Cs2AgF4 studied with muon-spin relaxation

We present the results of a muon-spin relaxation study of the high-Tc analogue material Cs2AgF4. We find unambiguous evidence for magnetic order, intrinsic to the material, below T_C=13.95(3) K. The ratio of inter- to intraplane coupling is estimated to be |J'/J|=1.9 x 10^-2, while fits of the temperature dependence of the order parameter reveal a critical exponent beta=0.292(3), implying an intermediate character between pure two- and three- dimensional magnetism in the critical regime. Above T_C we observe a signal characteristic of dipolar interactions due to linear F-mu-F bonds, allowing the muon stopping sites in this compound to be characterized.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Magnetic order in the S=1/2 two-dimensional molecular antiferromagnet, copper pyrazine perchlorate Cu(Pz)_2(ClO_4)_2

We present an investigation of magnetic ordering in the two-dimensional S=1/2 quantum magnet Cu(Pz)_2(ClO_4)_2 using specific heat and zero field muon-spin relaxation (μ^+SR). The magnetic contribution to the specific heat is consistent with an exchange strength of 17.7(3) K. We find unambiguous evidence for a transition to a state of three-dimensional long range order below a critical temperature T_N=4.21(1) K using μ^+SR even though there is no feature in the specific heat at that temperature. The absence of a specific heat anomaly at T_N is consistent with recent theoretical predictions. The ratio of T_N/J=0.24 corresponds to a ratio of intralayer to interlayer exchange constants of |J'/J|=6.8x10^-4, indicative of excellent two-dimensional isolation. The scaled magnetic specific heat of [Cu(Pz)_2(HF_2)]BF_4, a compound with an analogous structure, is essentially identical to that of Cu(Pz)_2(ClO_4)_2 although both differ slightly from the predicted value for an ideal 2D S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

The kagome staircase compounds Ni$_{3}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$ and Co$_{3}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$ studied with implanted muons

We present the results of muon-spin relaxation ($μ^{+}$SR) measurements on the kagome staircase compounds Ni$_{3}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$ and Co$_{3}$V$_{2}$O$_{8}$. 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.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Separation of energy scales in the kagome antiferromagnet TmAgGe: a magnetic-field-orientation study up to 55 T

TmAgGe is an antiferromagnet in which the spins are confined to distorted kagome-like planes at low temperatures. We report angle-dependent measurements of the magnetization $M$ in fields of up to 55 T that show that there are two distinct and separate energy scales present in TmAgGe, each responsible for a set of step-like metamagnetic transitions; weak exchange interactions and strong crystalline electric field (CEF) interactions. Simulations of $M$ using a three-dimensional, free-energy minimization technique allow us to specify for the first time the physical origin of the metamagnetic transitions in low, in-plane fields. We also show that the transitions observed with the field perpendicular to the kagome planes are associated with the CEF-split multiplet of Tm.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Muon-spin relaxation measurements on the dimerized spin-1/2 chains NaTiSi2O6 and TiOCl

We report muon spin relaxation (muSR) and magnetic susceptibility investigations of two Ti3+ chain compounds which each exhibit a spin gap at low temperature, NaTiSi2O6 and TiOCl. From these we conclude that the spin gap in NaTiSi2O6 is temperature independent, with a value of 2*Delta=660(50)K, arising from orbital ordering at Too = 210K; the associated structural fluctuations activate the muon spin relaxation rate up to temperatures above 270K. In TiOCl we find thermally activated spin fluctuations corresponding to a spin gap 2*Delta=420(40)K below Tc1=67K. We also compare the methods used to extract the spin gap and the concentration of free spins within the samples from muSR and magnetic susceptibility data.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Magnetism in the S=1 frustrated antiferromagnet GeNi2O4 studied using implanted muons

We present the results of a muon-spin relaxation study of GeNi2O4. We provide further clarification of the two transitions to the antiferromagnetic state and measure the magnetic field dependence of the heat capacity up to 14 T. Both oscillatory and relaxing signals are observed below the lower transition (at temperature $T_{N2}) in the muon-decay positron asymmetry spectra, arising from two distinct types of magnetic environment. A possible explanation is suggested in terms of the separate ordering of two magnetic subsystems, one of which does not order fully down to the lowest measured temperature.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Magnetic order in the quasi-one-dimensional spin 1/2 chain, copper pyrazine dinitrate

We present the first evidence of magnetic order in the quasi-one-dimensional spin 1/2 molecular chain compound, copper pyrazine dinitrate Cu(C4H4N2)(NO3)2}. Zero field muon-spin relaxation measurements made at dilution refrigerator temperatures show oscillations in the measured asymmetry, characteristic of a quasistatic magnetic field at the muon sites. Our measurements provide convincing evidence for long range magnetic order below a temperature T_N=107(1) mK. This leads to an estimate of the interchain coupling constant of |J'|/k_B=0.046 K and to a ratio |J'/J| = 4.4 x 10^-3.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Thermodynamic and magnetic properties of the layered triangular magnet NaNiO2

We report muon-spin rotation, heat capacity, magnetization, and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements of the layered spin-1/2 antiferromagnet NaNiO2. These show the onset of long-range magnetic order below T_N = 19.5K. Rapid muon depolarization persisting to about 5K above T_N is consistent with the presence of short-range magnetic order. The temperature and frequency dependence of the ac susceptibility suggests that magnetic clusters persist above 25K in the paramagnetic state and that their volume fraction decreases with increasing temperature. A frequency dependent peak in the ac magnetic susceptibility at T_sf = 3K is observed, consistent with a slowing of spin fluctuations at this temperature. A partial magnetic phase diagram is deduced.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Unconventional magnetic properties of the weakly ferromagnetic metal BaIrO_3

We present experimental evidence for small-moment magnetism below the ferromagnetic transition temperature (T_c3 = 183 K) in the quasi-one-dimensional metal BaIrO_3. Further, we identify rearrangement of the local magnetic moment distribution, which leaves the bulk magnetization unchanged, at the Mott-like transition (T_c1 = 26 K). These results are only possible via muon-spin relaxation ($μ$SR) techniques, since neutron scattering studies are hindered by the large absorption of neutrons by Ir. The low temperature characteristics of this compound, as revealed by $μ$SR, are unconventional, and suggest that its magnetic properties are driven by changes occuring at the Fermi surface due to the formation of a charge-density wave state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2004

Magnetic phase separation in EuB6 detected by muon spin rotation

We report results of the first muon-spin rotation measurements performed on the low carrier density ferromagnet EuB$_6$. The ferromagnetic state is reached via two magnetic transitions at $T_{\rm m}=16.5$ K and $T_{\rm c}=12.6$ K. Two distinct components are resolved in the muon data, one oscillatory and one non-oscillatory, which arise from different types of magnetic environment, and we have followed the temperature dependence of these components in detail. These results provide evidence for magnetic phase separation and can be interpreted in terms of the gradual coalescing of magnetic polarons.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2004

Universal scaling relations in molecular superconductors

Scaling relations between the superconducting transition temperature $T_{\rm c}$, the superfluid stiffness $ρ_{\rm s}$ and the normal state conductivity $σ_0(T_{\rm c})$ are identified within the class of molecular superconductors. These new scaling properties hold as $T_{\rm c}$ varies over two orders of magnitude for materials with differing dimensionality and contrasting molecular structure, and are dramatically different from the equivalent scaling properties observed within the family of cuprate superconductors. These scaling relations place strong constraints on theories for molecular superconductivity.

cond-mat.supr-con↗