Distinct magnetic ground states of $R_2$ZnIrO$_6$ ($R$ = La and Nd) determined by neutron powder diffraction

H. Guo; C. Ritter; Y. Su; A. C. Komarek; J. S. Gardner

doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.103.L060402

paper

Distinct magnetic ground states of $R_{2}$ ZnIrO $_{6}$ ( $R$ = La and Nd) determined by neutron powder diffraction

arXiv:2102.01276 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.103.L060402

Abstract

Double perovskite iridates $A_{2}$ ZnIrO $_{6}$ ( $A$ = alkaline or lanthanide) show complex magnetic behaviors ranging from weak ferromagnetism to successive antiferromagnetic transitions. Here we report the static ( $d c$ ) and dynamic ( $a c$ ) magnetic susceptibility, and neutron powder diffraction measurements for $A$ = La and Nd compounds to elucidate the magnetic ground state. Below 10~K, the $A$ = La compound is best described as canted iridium moments in an antiferromagnet arrangement with a propagation vector \textbf{k} = 0 and a net ferromagnetic component along the $c$ -axis. On the other hand, Nd $_{2}$ ZnIrO $_{6}$ is described well as an antiferromagnet with a propagation vector \textbf{k} = (1/2~1/2~0) below $T_{N} \sim$ 17 K. Scattering from both the Nd and Ir magnetic sublattices were required to describe the data and both were found to lie almost completely within the $ab$ -plane. $D c$ susceptibility revealed a bifurcation between the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled curves below $\sim$ 13 K in Nd $_{2}$ ZnIrO $_{6}$ . A glassy state was ruled out by $a c$ susceptibility but detailed magnetic isotherms revealed the opening of the loop below 13~K. These results suggest a delicate balance exists between the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya, crystal field schemes, and $d$ - $f$ interaction in this series of compounds.

arXiv comment6 pages, 5 figures. To be published in PRB

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Distinct magnetic ground states of R2​ZnIrO6​ (R = La and Nd) determined by neutron powder diffraction

Abstract

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Distinct magnetic ground states of $R_{2}$ ZnIrO $_{6}$ ( $R$ = La and Nd) determined by neutron powder diffraction