Putative magnetic quantum criticality in (Sr${}_{\text{1-x}}$La${}_{\text{x}}$)${}_{\text{3}}$Ir${}_{\text{2}}$O${}_{\text{7}}$

Abstract

(Sr${}_{1-x}$La${}_x$)${}_3$Ir${}_2$O${}_7$ undergoes a bulk insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) at $x\approx 0.04$. Through careful analysis of previously published data ($x=0.053,0.061,0.076$), we find an extended region below the Debye temperature in which the resistivity appears to scale linearly with temperature. Meanwhile resonant (in)elastic x-ray scattering data ($x=0.065$) suggest a possible crossover from quantum paramagnetic to quantum critical phenomenology between 100 and 200~K. We put this into context with other results, and propose a possible phase diagram as a function of doping.

Submitted to Physical Review B