Generarized Cubic Model for BaTiO3_3-like Ferroelectric Substance

We propose an order-disorder type microscopic model for BaTiO$_3$-like Ferroelectric Substance. Our model has three phase transitions and four phases. The symmetry and directions of the polarizations of the ordered phases agree with the experimental results of BaTiO$_3$. The intermediate phases in our model are known as an incompletely ordered phase, which appears in a generalized clock model.Comment: 6 pages, 4figure

Ordered phase and phase transitions in the three-dimensional generalized six-state clock model

We study the three-dimensional generalized six-state clock model at values of the energy parameters, at which the system is considered to have the same behavior as the stacked triangular antiferromagnetic Ising model and the three-state antiferromagnetic Potts model. First, we investigate ordered phases by using the Monte Carlo twist method (MCTM). We confirmed the existence of an incompletely ordered phase (IOP1) at intermediate temperature, besides the completely ordered phase (COP) at low-temperature. In this intermediate phase, two neighboring states of the six-state model mix, while one of them is selected in the low temperature phase. We examine the fluctuation the mixing rate of the two states in IOP1 and clarify that the mixing rate is very stable around 1:1. The high temperature phase transition is investigated by using non-equilibrium relaxation method (NERM). We estimate the critical exponents beta=0.34(1) and nu=0.66(4). These values are consistent with the 3D-XY universality class. The low temperature phase transition is found to be of first-order by using MCTM and the finite-size-scaling analysis

Spin-Wave Spectrum in `Single-Domain' Magnetic Ground State of Triangular Lattice Antiferromagnet CuFeO2

By means of neutron scattering measurements, we have investigated spin-wave excitation in a collinear four-sublattice (4SL) magnetic ground state of a triangular lattice antiferromagnet CuFeO2, which has been of recent interest as a strongly frustrated magnet, a spin-lattice coupled system and a multiferroic. To avoid mixing of spin-wave spectrum from magnetic domains having three different orientations reflecting trigonal symmetry of the crystal structure, we have applied uniaxial pressure on [1-10] direction of a single crystal CuFeO2. By elastic neutron scattering measurements, we have found that only 10 MPa of the uniaxial pressure results in almost 'single domain' state in the 4SL phase. We have thus performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements using the single domain sample, and have identified two distinct spin- wave branches. The dispersion relation of the upper spin-wave branch cannot be explained by the previous theoretical model [R. S. Fishman: J. Appl. Phys. 103 (2008) 07B109]. This implies the importance of the lattice degree of freedom in the spin-wave excitation in this system, because the previous calculation neglected the effect of the spin-driven lattice distortion in the 4SL phase. We have also discussed relationship between the present results and the recently discovered "electromagnon" excitation.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Thermally-induced magnetic phases in an Ising spin Kondo lattice model on a kagome lattice at 1/3-filling

Numerical investigation on the thermodynamic properties of an Ising spin Kondo lattice model on a kagome lattice is reported. By using Monte Carlo simulation, we investigated the magnetic phases at 1/3-filling. We identified two successive transitions from high-temperature paramagnetic state to a Kosterlitz-Thouless-like phase in an intermediate temperature range and to a partially disordered phase at a lower temperature. The partially disordered state is characterized by coexistence of antiferromagnetic hexagons and paramagnetic sites with period $\sqrt3 \times \sqrt3$. We compare the results with those for the triangular lattice case.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Specific heat and magnetization study on single crystals of a frustrated, quasi one-dimensional oxide: Ca3Co2O6

Specific heat and magnetization measurements have been carried out under a range of magnetic fields on single crystals of Ca3Co2O6. This compound is composed of Ising magnetic chains that are arranged on a triangular lattice. The intrachain and interchain couplings are ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic, respectively. This situation gives rise to geometrical frustration, that bears some similarity to the classical problem of a two-dimensional Ising triangular antiferromagnet. This paper reports on the ordering process at low-T and the possibility of one-dimensional features at high-T.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in PR

Ga NMR study of the local susceptibility in SrCr8Ga4O19: pseudogap and paramagnetic defects

We present the first Ga(4f) NMR study of the Cr susceptibility in the archetype of Kagome based frustrated antiferromagnets, SrCr$_{8}$Ga$_{4}$O$_{19}$. Our major finding is that the susceptibility of the frustrated lattice goes through a maximum around 50 K. Our data also supports the existence of paramagnetic ``clusters'' of spins, responsible for the Curie behavior observed in the macroscopic susceptibility at low T. These results set novel features for the constantly debated physics of geometrically frustrated magnets.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Susceptibility and dilution effects of the kagome bi-layer geometrically frustrated network. A Ga-NMR study of SrCr_(9p)Ga_(12-9p)O_(19)

We present an extensive gallium NMR study of the geometrically frustrated kagome bi-layer compound SrCr_(9p)Ga_(12-9p)O_(19) (Cr^3+, S=3/2) over a broad Cr-concentration range (.72<p<.95). This allows us to probe locally the kagome bi-layer susceptibility and separate the intrinsic properties due to the geometric frustration from those related to the site dilution. Our major findings are: 1) The intrinsic kagome bi-layer susceptibility exhibits a maximum in temperature at 40-50 K and is robust to a dilution as high as ~20%. The maximum reveals the development of short range antiferromagnetic correlations; 2) At low-T, a highly dynamical state induces a strong wipe-out of the NMR intensity, regardless of dilution; 3) The low-T upturn observed in the macroscopic susceptibility is associated to paramagnetic defects which stem from the dilution of the kagome bi-layer. The low-T analysis of the NMR lineshape suggests that the defect can be associated with a staggered spin-response to the vacancies on the kagome bi-layer. This, altogether with the maximum in the kagome bi-layer susceptibility, is very similar to what is observed in most low-dimensional antiferromagnetic correlated systems; 4) The spin glass-like freezing observed at T_g=2-4 K is not driven by the dilution-induced defects.Comment: 19 pages, 19 figures, revised version resubmitted to PRB Minor modifications: Fig.11 and discussion in Sec.V on the NMR shif

Magnetization "Steps" on a Kagome Lattice in Volborthite

Magnetic properties of the spin-1/2 kagome-like compound volborthite are studied using a high-quality polycrystalline sample. It is evidenced from magnetization and specific heat measurements that the spins on the kagome lattice still fluctuate at low temperature, down to T = 60 mK that corresponds to 1/1500 of the nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic interaction, exhibiting neither a conventional long-range order nor a spin gap. In contrast, 51V NMR experiments revealed a sharp peak at 1 K in relaxation rate, which indicates that a certain exotic order occurs. Surprisingly, we have observed three "steps" in magnetization as a function of magnetic field, suggesting that at least four liquid-like or other quantum states exist under magnetic fields.Comment: J. Phys. Soc. Jpn, Vol.78, No.4 (2009), in pres