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Sparsely connected antiferromagnets: ground states, clusters and domains

English title Sparsely connected antiferromagnets: ground states, clusters and domains
Applicant Zaharko Oksana
Number 111105
Funding scheme SCOPES
Research institution Paul Scherrer Institut
Institution of higher education Paul Scherrer Institute - PSI
Main discipline Condensed Matter Physics
Start/End 01.09.2005 - 30.11.2008
Approved amount 70'300.00
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Keywords (4)

magnetism; magnetic order; susceptibility; neutron diffraction

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
The aim of this project is the experimental investigation of magnetic ground state and spin dynamics of the selected novel magnetic systems characterized by structurally imposed magnetic rarefaction.The selected magnetic systems are new transition metal oxides in which the intentional rarefaction of magnetic connectivity introduces deviations from classical long-range order. The sparsely connected magnetic structure relies either on weak super-exchange paths between the distant magnetic ions, specific nearest neighbour topology, or on the presence of quasi-isolated magnetic clusters (‘chemical scissor’ strategy). The ground states of our sparsely connected magnets, belonging to either classical or quantum systems, are complex, which might rely on the competition between the two possible ground states, magnetically ordered and the spin-liquid one. Moreover, the ground state might evolve into their coexistence in some of the systems. The objective of this project is then a profound understanding of the ground states stabilized in all of the selected quantum and classical magnetic systems and spin dynamic.Methodologically, this project employs high-resolution ac susceptibility, dc susceptibility, torque magnetometry and neutron scattering techniques enabling insight into bulk and microscopic magnetism.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

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