Bulk Magnetic Order Research Articles

Surface Magnetization in Antiferromagnets: Classification, Example Materials, and Relation to Magnetoelectric Responses

We use symmetry analysis and density-functional theory to determine and characterize surface terminations that have a finite equilibrium magnetization density in antiferromagnetic materials. A nonzero magnetic dipole moment per unit area or “surface magnetization” can arise on particular surfaces of many antiferromagnets due to the bulk magnetic symmetries. Such surface magnetization underlies intriguing physical phenomena like interfacial magnetic coupling and can be used as a readout method of antiferromagnetic domains. However, a universal description of antiferromagnetic surface magnetization is lacking. We first introduce a classification system based on whether the surface magnetization is either sensitive or robust to roughness and on whether the magnetic dipoles at surface of interest are compensated or uncompensated when the bulk magnetic order is retained at the surface. We show that roughness-sensitive categories can be identified by a simple extension of a previously established group-theory formalism for identifying roughness-robust surface magnetization. We then map the group-theory method of identifying surface magnetization to a novel description in terms of bulk magnetic multipoles, which are already established as symmetry indicators for bulk magnetoelectric responses at both linear and higher orders. We use density-functional calculations to illustrate that nominally compensated surfaces in magnetoelectric Cr2O3 and centrosymmetric altermagnetic FeF2 develop a finite magnetization density at the surface, in agreement with our predictions based on both group theory and the ordering of the bulk multipoles. Our analysis provides a comprehensive basis for understanding the surface magnetic properties and their intimate correspondence to bulk magnetoelectric effects in antiferromagnets and has important implications for technologically relevant phenomena such as exchange-bias coupling. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Giant valleyZeeman coupling in the surface layer of an intercalated transition metal dichalcogenide.

Spin-valley locking is ubiquitous among transition metal dichalcogenides with local or global inversion asymmetry, in turn stabilizing properties such as Ising superconductivity, and opening routes towards 'valleytronics'. The underlying valley-spin splitting is set by spin-orbit coupling but can be tuned via the application of external magnetic fields or through proximity coupling. However, only modest changes have been realized to date. Here, we investigate the electronic structure of the V-intercalated transition metal dichalcogenide V1/3NbS2 using microscopic-area spatially resolved and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Our measurements and corresponding density functional theory calculations reveal that the bulk magnetic order induces a giant valley-selective Ising coupling exceeding 50 meV in the surface NbS2 layer, equivalent to application of a ~250 T magnetic field. This energy scale is of comparable magnitude to the intrinsic spin-orbit splittings, and indicates how coupling of local magnetic moments to itinerant states of a transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer provides a powerful route to controlling their valley-spin splittings.

Integrated experimental and theoretical studies on structural and magnetic properties of thin films of double perovskite ruthenates: Ba2DyRuO6 & Sr2DyRuO6.

Thin films of double perovskite ruthenates, viz., Ba2DyRuO6 (BDRO) and Sr2DyRuO6 (SDRO), have been successfully grown on a SrTiO3 substrate using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The BDRO samples crystallizes in cubic structure, while SDRO exhibits monoclinic structure as revealed in their X-Ray diffraction examination. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements suggest the presence of ferromagnetism in BDRO, while paramagnetism is present for the SDRO thin film. Surprisingly, both films show canted antiferromagnetism at ∼T = 5 K as revealed in their isothermal magnetization curves. The inverse susceptibility has been fitted to the Curie-Weiss law for the SDRO sample, where the Curie temperature (TC ∼ -336.6 K) has been obtained, thus suggesting the prevalence of antiferromagnetic interactions. The existence of the canted magnetism at a lower temperature may be attributed to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (D-M) interactions in the monoclinic SDRO sample due to structural distortion. However, the emergence of canted antiferromagnetism at lower temperatures (5 K) in the BDRO sample with cubic symmetry having no D-M interactions may be attributed to the various modifications at the surface of the thin films. Overall, a comparison made between the magnetic properties of both the thin films i.e., BDRO & SDRO, reveals the suppression of bulk magnetic ordering when compared to their bulk counterparts. The possible reason for the absence of any magnetic ordering in these thin films may be due to any modifications in superexchange interactions, any exchange bias, stress-strain, or uncompensated spins present in these types of thin films. UV-visible measurements for both the samples reveal a direct influence of the A-site element (Sr/Ba) on their band gaps, i.e., 3.66 eV and 2.59 eV for BDRO and SDRO samples, respectively, hence suggesting their insulating nature. We have also carried out first principles calculations with DFT using the CASTEP software to gain more insights into the experimental data. These thin films with insulating-antiferromagnetic properties may be crucial for "spintronics devices".

Sensing the Local Magnetic Environment through Optically Active Defects in a Layered Magnetic Semiconductor.

Atomic-level defects in van der Waals (vdW) materials are essential building blocks for quantum technologies and quantum sensing applications. The layered magnetic semiconductor CrSBr is an outstanding candidate for exploring optically active defects because of a direct gap, in addition to a rich magnetic phase diagram, including a recently hypothesized defect-induced magnetic order at low temperature. Here, we show optically active defects in CrSBr that are probes of the local magnetic environment. We observe a spectrally narrow (1 meV) defect emission in CrSBr that is correlated with both the bulk magnetic order and an additional low-temperature, defect-induced magnetic order. We elucidate the origin of this magnetic order in the context of local and nonlocal exchange coupling effects. Our work establishes vdW magnets like CrSBr as an exceptional platform to optically study defects that are correlated with the magnetic lattice. We anticipate that controlled defect creation allows for tailor-made complex magnetic textures and phases with direct optical access.

Ultrafast optical control of surface and bulk magnetism in magnetic topological insulator/antiferromagnet heterostructure

Optical control of the magnetic properties in topological insulator systems is an important step in applying these materials in ultrafast optoelectronic and spintronic schemes. In this work, we report the experimental observation of photo-induced magnetization dynamics in the magnetically doped topological insulator (MTI)/antiferromagnet (AFM) heterostructure composed of Cr-(Bi,Sb)2Te3/CrSb. Through proximity coupling to the AFM layer, the MTI displays a dramatically enhanced magnetism, with robust perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. When subjected to intense laser irradiation, both surface and bulk magnetism of the MTI are weakened by laser-induced heating of the lattice, however, at the surface, the deleterious heat effect is compensated by the strengthening of Dirac-hole-mediated exchange coupling as demonstrated by an unconventional pump-fluence-dependent exchange-bias effect. Through theoretical analyses, the sizes of exchange coupling energies are estimated in the MTI/AFM bilayer structure. The fundamentally different mechanisms supporting the surface and bulk magnetic order in MTIs allow a novel and distinctive photo-induced transient magnetic state with antiparallel spin configuration, which broadens the understanding of the magnetization dynamics of MTIs under ultrashort and intense optical excitation.

Analogy between the Magnetic Dipole Moment at the Surface of a Magnetoelectric and the Electric Charge at the Surface of a Ferroelectric

In honor of Igor Dzyaloshinskii on his 90th birthday, we revisit his pioneering work on the linear magnetoelectric effect in light of the modern theory of ferroelectric polarization. We show that the surface magnetic dipole moment associated with magnetoelectric materials is analogous to the bound surface charge in ferroelectrics, in that it can be conveniently described in terms of a bulk magnetoelectric multipolization that is analogous to the ferroelectric polarization. We define the intrinsic surface magnetization to be this surface magnetic dipole moment per unit area, and provide a convenient recipe for extracting it for any surface plane, from knowledge of the bulk magnetic order. We demonstrate the procedure for the prototypical magnetoelectric material, Cr$_2$O$_3$, in which Dzyaloshinskii first identified the linear magnetoelectric effect, and compare the value of the intrinsic surface magnetization to recent experimental measurements. Finally, we argue that non-magnetoelectric antiferromagnets whose multipolization lattices do not contain zero should have an intrinsic surface magnetization, in the same way that non-polar insulators whose polarization lattices do not contain zero have an intrinsic surface charge.

Evidence of surface and bulk magnetic ordering in Fe and Mn doped Bi2(SeS)3 topological insulator

The magneto-transport, angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), and magnetization of Bi2-xMx(SeS)3 (with M = Fe, Mn) have been investigated. In Fe-doped Bi2(SeS)3, the presence of both electron-mediated Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) coupling and carrier-independent van Vleck magnetism has been demonstrated. Interestingly, by varying the Fe content and temperature, the interplay between the two mechanisms for magnetic ordering has been revealed. On the other hand, in the Mn-doped sample, hole-mediated RKKY coupling is observed. Thus, a particular mechanism can be used to induce magnetic ordering in the topological insulator. Furthermore, both ARPES and magnetic studies indicate that surface magnetic ordering may or may not break the time reversal symmetry (TRS), whereas bulk magnetic ordering breaks the TRS, suggesting the potentiality of these materials for spintronic application.

Split superconducting and time-reversal symmetry-breaking transitions in Sr2RuO4 under stress

Among unconventional superconductors, Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ has become a benchmark for experimentation and theoretical analysis because its normal-state electronic structure is known with exceptional precision, and because of experimental evidence that its superconductivity has, very unusually, a spontaneous angular momentum, i.e. a chiral state. This hypothesis of chirality is however difficult to reconcile with recent evidence on the spin part of the order parameter. Measurements under uniaxial stress offer an ideal way to test for chirality, because under uniaxial stress the superconducting and chiral transitions are predicted to split, allowing the empirical signatures of each to be identified separately. Here, we report zerofield muon spin relaxation (ZF-$\mu$SR) measurements on crystals placed under uniaxial stresses of up to 1.05 GPa. We report a clear stress-induced splitting between the onset temperatures of superconductivity and time-reversal symmetry breaking, consistent with qualitative expectations for chiral superconductivity. We also report the appearance of unexpected bulk magnetic order under a uniaxial stress of ~ 1.0 GPa in clean Sr$_2$RuO$_4$.

Surface and electronic structure of antiferromagnetic axion insulator candidate EuIn<sub>2</sub>As<sub>2</sub>

The interplay between non-trivial band topology and magnetic order can induce exotic quantum phenomena, such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect and axion insulator state. A prevalent approach to realizing such topological states is either by magnetic doping or through heterostructure engineering, while the former will bring in inhomogeneity and the latter requires complex procedures. Intrinsic magnetic topological insulators are expected to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, which is of great significance in both studying and practically using these exotic quantum phenomena. Recently, a Zintl compound EuIn<sub>2</sub>As<sub>2</sub> is predicted to be an intrinsic antiferromagnetic axion insulator. The bulk magnetic order of EuIn<sub>2</sub>As<sub>2</sub> has been reported in a lot of experiments, while the topological nature has not yet been confirmed. The surface properties of intrinsic magnetic topological insulators play an important role in the interplay between magnetic order and non-trivial surface state. Here in this work, we study the surface structure and electronic property of EuIn<sub>2</sub>As<sub>2</sub> single crystal by using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S) and non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM). Considering the strength of bonds, the easy cleavage plane of the crystals possibly lies between In-In layers or between Eu-As layers. The STM topographies show that the cleaved surface is dominated by a striped pattern. And the dominated step height is an integer multiple of <i>c</i>/2, which implies that only one kind of cleavage plane is preferred. Atomic-resolved surface topographies show that the striped pattern is the <inline-formula><tex-math id="M2">\begin{document}$ 1\times 2 $\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="18-20210783_M2.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="18-20210783_M2.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> surface reconstruction with 50% coverage. Hence an In-terminated surface which will be 100% coverage is ruled out. The spatial evolution of STS near vacancies on the striped pattern shows a hole-doping feature. All of these results reveal that the striped pattern is the <inline-formula><tex-math id="M3">\begin{document}$ 1\times 2 $\end{document}</tex-math><alternatives><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="18-20210783_M3.jpg"/><graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="18-20210783_M3.png"/></alternatives></inline-formula> surface reconstruction of the Eu terminated surface with 50% coverage. Using the STS, we measure the local densities of states on the striped surface at various temperatures. We find that there is an asymmetric valley-peak feature in the density of states near the Fermi energy at 4 K, which is gradually weakened with increasing temperature, and disappears above the antiferromagnetic Néel temperature, indicating that the asymmetric valley-peak feature is closely related to the antiferromagnetic order. Besides, a maze-like pattern is observed occasionally near some step edges. The STM topographies show atoms both on bright and dark stripes of the maze-like pattern, which form a whole hexagonal lattice. And the NC-AFM images show that the maze-like pattern is about 1 Å higher than the Eu terminated striped pattern. Based on these results, the maze-like pattern can be explained as the buckled Eu surface with 100% coverage. These results provide important information for understanding the surface electronic band structure and topological nature of EuIn<sub>2</sub>As<sub>2</sub>.

Bulk-like dielectric and magnetic properties of sub 100\xa0nm thick single crystal\xa0Cr2O3\xa0films on an epitaxial oxide electrode

The manipulation of antiferromagnetic order in magnetoelectric Cr2O3 using electric field has been of great interest due to its potential in low-power electronics. The substantial leakage and low dielectric breakdown observed in twinned Cr2O3 thin films, however, hinders its development in energy efficient spintronics. To compensate, large film thicknesses (250 nm or greater) have been employed at the expense of device scalability. Recently, epitaxial V2O3 thin film electrodes have been used to eliminate twin boundaries and significantly reduce the leakage of 300 nm thick single crystal films. Here we report the electrical endurance and magnetic properties of thin (less than 100 nm) single crystal Cr2O3 films on epitaxial V2O3 buffered Al2O3 (0001) single crystal substrates. The growth of Cr2O3 on isostructural V2O3 thin film electrodes helps eliminate the existence of twin domains in Cr2O3 films, therefore significantly reducing leakage current and increasing dielectric breakdown. 60 nm thick Cr2O3 films show bulk-like resistivity (~ 1012 Ω cm) with a breakdown voltage in the range of 150–300 MV/m. Exchange bias measurements of 30 nm thick Cr2O3 display a blocking temperature of ~ 285 K while room temperature optical second harmonic generation measurements possess the symmetry consistent with bulk magnetic order.

Coexistence of magnetic order and persistent spin dynamics in a quantum kagome antiferromagnet with no intersite mixing

One of the key questions concerning frustrated lattices that has lately emerged is the role of disorder in inducing spin-liquid-like properties. In this context, the quantum kagome antiferromagnets YCu$_3$(OH)$_6$Cl$_3$, which has been recently reported as the first geometrically perfect realization of the kagome lattice with negligible magnetic/non-magnetic intersite mixing and a possible quantum-spin-liquid ground state, is of particular interest. However, contrary to previous conjectures, here we show clear evidence of bulk magnetic ordering in this compound below $T_N=15$\,K by combining bulk magnetization and heat capacity measurements, and local-probe muon spin relaxation measurements. The magnetic ordering in this material is rather unconventional in several respects. Firstly, a crossover regime where the ordered state coexists with the paramagnetic state extends down to $T_N/3$ and, secondly, the fluctuation crossover is shifted far below $T_N$. Moreover, a reduced magnetic-entropy release at $T_N$ and persistent spin dynamics that is observed at temperatures as low as $T/T_N=1/300$ could be a sign of emergent excitations of correlated spin-loops or, alternatively, a sign of fragmentation of each magnetic moment into an ordered and a fluctuating part.

Magnetic states of Ni-Mn-Sn based shape memory alloy: A combined muon spin relaxation and neutron diffraction study

The fascinating multiple magnetic states observed in the Ni-Mn-Sn based metamagnetic shape memory alloy are addressed through a combined muon spin relaxation (muSR) and neutron powder diffraction studies. The material used in the present investigation is an off-stoichiometric alloy of nominal composition, Ni[2.04]Mn[1.4]Sn[0.56]. This prototypical alloy, similar to other members in the Ni-Mn-Sn series, orders ferromagnetically below T[CA] (= 320 K), and undergoes martensitic type structural transition at T[MS] (= 290 K), which is associated with the sudden loss of magnetization. The sample regains its magnetization below another magnetic transition at T[CM] = 260 K. Eventually, the composition shows a step-like anomaly at T[B] = 120 K, which is found to coincide with the blocking temperature of exchange bias effect observed in the alloy. In our study, the initial asymmetry A_[10] ) of the $\mu$SR data falls rapidly below T[CA], indicating the onset of bulk magnetic order. A[10] regains its full asymmetry value below T[MS] suggesting the collapse of the ferromagnetic order into a fully disordered paramagnetic state. Below the second magnetic transition at T[CM], asymmetry drops again, confirming the re-entrance of a long range ordered state. Interestingly, A[10] increases sluggishly below T[B], indicating that the system attains a disordered/glassy magnetic phase below T[B], which is responsible for the exchange bias and frequency dispersion in the ac susceptibility data as previously reported. The neutron powder diffraction data do not show any magnetic superlattice reflections, ruling out the possibility of a long range antiferromagnetic state at low temperatures. The ground state is likely to be comprised of a concentrated metallic spin-glass in the backdrop of an ordered ferromagnetic state.

Field-induced instability of the quantum spin liquid ground state in the Jeff=12 triangular-lattice compound NaYbO2

Polycrystalline samples of NaYbO$_2$ are investigated by bulk magnetization and specific-heat measurements, as well as by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) as local probes. No signatures of long-range magnetic order are found down to 0.3~K, evidencing a highly frustrated spin-liquid-like ground state in zero field. Above 2\,T, signatures of magnetic order are observed in thermodynamic measurements, suggesting the possibility of a field-induced quantum phase transition. The $^{23}$Na NMR relaxation rates reveal the absence of magnetic order and persistent fluctuations down to 0.3~K at very low fields and confirm the bulk magnetic order above 2~T. The $H$-$T$ phase diagram is obtained and discussed along with the existing theoretical concepts for layered spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ triangular-lattice antiferromagnets

Effect of Zn doping on the antiferromagnetism in kagomeCu4−xZnx(OH)6FBr

Barlowite Cu$_4$(OH)$_6$FBr shows three-dimensional (3D) long-range antiferromagnetism, which is fully suppressed in Cu$_3$Zn(OH)$_6$FBr with a kagome quantum spin liquid ground state. Here we report systematic studies on the evolution of magnetism in the Cu$_{4-x}$Zn$_x$(OH)$_{6}$FBr system as a function of $x$ to bridge the two limits of Cu$_4$(OH)$_6$FBr ($x$=0) and Cu$_3$Zn(OH)$_6$FBr ($x$=1). Neutron-diffraction measurements reveal a hexagonal-to-orthorhombic structural change with decreasing temperature in the $x$ = 0 sample. While confirming the 3D antiferromagnetic nature of low-temperature magnetism, the magnetic moments on some Cu$^{2+}$ sites on the kagome planes are found to be vanishingly small, suggesting strong frustration already exists in barlowite. Substitution of interlayer Cu$^{2+}$ with Zn$^{2+}$ with gradually increasing $x$ completely suppresses the bulk magnetic order at around $x$ = 0.4, but leaves a local secondary magnetic order up to $x\sim 0.8$ with a slight decrease in its transition temperature. The high-temperature magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements further suggest that the intrinsic magnetic properties of kagome spin liquid planes may already appear from $x>0.3$ samples. Our results reveal that the Cu$_{4-x}$Zn$_x$(OH)$_6$FBr may be the long-thought experimental playground for the systematic investigations of the quantum phase transition from a long-range antiferromagnet to a topologically ordered quantum spin liquid.

Ferromagnetism in orthorhombic RAgAl3 (R = Ce and Pr) compounds

We present a detailed study on magnetic, thermodynamic and transport properties of polycrystalline RAgAl3(R = Ce and Pr) compounds. Both compounds crystallize in orthorhombic structure, which is distorted from the tetragonal BaAl4 structure with the space group Cmcm. Heat capacity measurement indicates the bulk magnetic ordering of the compounds. CeAgAl3 and PrAgAl3 order ferromagnetically at TC=3.8K and 5.8K, respectively as it was confirmed from magnetic measurements. CeAgAl3 exhibits heavy fermion behaviour. The Schottky behaviour in heat capacity data was observed in both compounds. The crystalline electric field (CEF) analysis of the magnetic parts of heat capacity of CeAgAl3 and PrAgAl3 yielded to a CEF level scheme with three doublets and nine singlets and with an overall splitting of 51K and 180K, respectively. Fit yielded a magnetic doublet state for CeAgAl3, whereas for PrAgAl3 a pseudo-doublet ground-state with an energy difference of 15K has been obtained. The resistivity measurements display a low temperature drop at the magnetic ordering temperature of the compounds. Negative magnetoresistance (MR) due to the ferromagnetic ordering has been observed for both Ce and Pr compounds.

Tip-Pressure-Induced Incoherent Energy Gap in CaFe2As2**Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No 11227903, the National Basic Research Program of China under Grant Nos 2015CB921300 and 2012CB933000, the State of Texas through TcSUH, and the Strategic Priority Research Program B of Chinese Academy of Sciences under Grant Nos XDB07030000, XDB04040300 and Y4VX092X81.

In CaFe2As2, superconductivity can be achieved by applying a modest c-axis pressure of several kbar. Here we use scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S) to explore the STM tip pressure effect on single crystals of CaFe2As2. When performing STM/S measurements, the tip-sample interaction can be controlled to act repulsive with reduction of the junction resistance, thus to apply a tip pressure on the sample. We find that an incoherent energy gap emerges at the Fermi level in the differential conductance spectrum when the tip pressure is increased. This energy gap is of the similar order of magnitude as the superconducting gap in the chemical doped compound Ca0.4Na0.6Fe2As2 and disappears at the temperature well below that of the bulk magnetic ordering. Moreover, we also observe the rhombic distortion of the As lattice, which agrees with the orthorhombic distortion of the underlying Fe lattice. These findings suggest that the STM tip pressure can induce the local Cooper pairing in the orthorhombic phase of CaFe2As2.

Magnetic, thermodynamic and transport properties of novel non-centrosymmetric RCoSi3 (R=Pr, Nd and Sm) compounds

Novel non-centrosymmetric RCoSi3 (R = Pr, Nd and Sm) compounds crystallize in tetragonal BaNiSn3 type structure with space group I4mm. The bulk magnetic ordering of all the compounds were confirmed from heat capacity data. Magnetization measurements indicate that PrCoSi3 orders ferromagnetically at 5.9K, while NdCoSi3 and SmCoSi3 order antiferromagnetically at 4K and 8K respectively. The magnetic transitions were also manifested by the slope change of temperature dependent resistivity at low temperatures. The energy level schemes created by crystal electric field splitting are determined from Schottky contribution to specific heat. The existence of magnon gap like features at low temperatures are consistent in both heat capacity and resistivity for NdCoSi3 and SmCoSi3. Large magnetoresistance is observed in NdCoSi3 and SmCoSi3. First principles electronic structure calculation based on density functional theory framework have been performed and compared with experimental data.

Spectroscopic study of metallic magnetism in single-crystallineNb1−yFe2+y

We have investigated single crystals and polycrystals from the series Nb$_{1-y}$Fe$_{2+y}$, $-0.004 \leq y \leq 0.018$ by electron spin resonance, muon spin relaxation and M\"ossbauer spectroscopy. Our data establish that at lowest temperatures all samples exhibit bulk magnetic order. Slight Fe-excess induces low-moment ferromagnetism, consistent with bulk magnetometry ($\simeq 0.06 ~\mu_B/{\rm Fe}$), Nb--rich and stoichiometric NbFe$_2$ display spin density wave order with small magnetic moment amplitudes of the order $\sim 0.001 - 0.01 ~\mu_B/{\rm Fe}$. This provides microscopic evidence for a modulated magnetic state on the border of ferromagnetism in NbFe$_2$.

Coexistence of Bulk Superconductivity and Magnetism in CeO1−xFxBiS2

We show the observation of the coexistence of bulk superconductivity and magnetic ordering in CeO1−xFxBiS2 (x = 0–1.0) prepared by annealing under high pressure. In the CeO1−xFxBiS2 system, both superconductivity and two types of ferromagnetic-like ordering with magnetic transition temperatures of 4.5 and 7.5 K are induced upon systematic F substitution. This fact suggests that carriers generated by the substitution of O by F are supplied to not only the BiS2 superconducting layers but also the CeO blocking layers. Furthermore, the highest superconducting transition temperature is observed when the ferromagnetic-like transition temperature increases, which implies that superconductivity and this magnetic ordering are linked to each other in the CeO1−xFxBiS2 system.

Muon spin relaxation study on itinerant ferromagnet CeCrGe3 and the effect of Ti substitution on magnetism of CeCrGe3

A Muon spin relaxation (µSR) study has been performed on the Kondo lattice heavy fermion itinerant ferromagnet CeCrGe3. Recent investigations of bulk properties have revealed a long-range ordering of Cr moments at Tc = 70 K in this compound. Our µSR investigation between 1.2 K and 125 K confirm the bulk magnetic order which is marked by a loss in initial asymmetry below 70 K accompanied with a sharp increase in the muon depolarization rate. Field dependent µSR spectra show that the internal field at the muon site is higher than 0.25 T apparently due to the ferromagnetic nature of ordering. The effect of Ti substitution on the magnetism in CeCrGe3 is presented. A systematic study has been made on polycrystalline CeCr1−xTixGe3 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) using magnetic susceptibility χ(T), isothermal magnetization M(H), specific heat C(T) and electrical resistivity ρ(T) measurements which clearly reveal that the substitution of Ti for Cr in CeCrGe3 strongly influences the exchange interaction and ferromagnetic ordering of Cr moments. The Cr moment ordering temperature is suppressed gradually with increasing Ti concentration up to x = 0.50 showing Tc = 7 K beyond which Ce moment ordering starts to dominate and a crossover between Cr and Ce moment ordering is observed with a Ce moment ordering Tc = 14 K for x = 1.0. The Kondo lattice behavior is evident from temperature dependence of ρ(T) in all CeCr1−xTixGe3 samples.