First-Order Transition to Incommensurate Phase with Broken Lattice Rotation Symmetry in Frustrated Heisenberg Model

We study a finite-temperature phase transition in the two-dimensional classical Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice with a ferromagnetic nearest-neighbor interaction $J_1$ and an antiferromagnetic third-nearest-neighbor interaction $J_3$ using a Monte Carlo method. Apart from a trivial degeneracy corresponding to O(3) spin rotations,the ground state for $J_3 \neq 0$ has a threefold degeneracy corresponding to 120 degree lattice rotations. We find that this model exhibits a first-order phase transition with the breaking of the threefold symmetry when the interaction ratio is $J_3/J_1=-3$.Comment: 4pages,5figure

Continuous Transition between Antiferromagnetic Insulator and Paramagnetic Metal in the Pyrochlore Iridate Eu2Ir2O7

Our single crystal study of the magneto-thermal and transport properties of the pyrochlore iridate Eu2Ir2O7 reveals a continuous phase transition from a paramagnetic metal to an antiferromagnetic insulator for a sample with stoichiometry within ~1% resolution. The insulating phase has strong proximity to an antiferromagnetic semimetal, which is stabilized by several % level of the off-stoichiometry. Our observations suggest that in addition to electronic correlation and spin-orbit coupling the magnetic order is essential for opening the charge gap.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Structural and magnetic aspects of the metal insulator transition in Ca2−x_{2-x}Srx_xRuO4_4

The phase diagram of Ca$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$RuO$_4$ has been studied by neutron diffraction on powder and single-crystalline samples. The experiments reveal antiferromagnetic order and structural distortions characterized by tilts and rotations of the RuO$_6$-octahedra. There is strong evidence that the structural details of the isovalent samples tune the magnetic as well as the electronic behavior. In particular we observe for low Sr-concentration a metal insulator transition associated with a structural change and magnetic ordering

Specific heat at the transition in a superconductor with fluctuating magnetic moments

In the heavy-fermion materials CeCoIn$_5$ and UBe$_{13}$, the superconducting order parameter is coupled to flucutating magnetization of the uncompensated part of the localized $f$-moments. We find that this coupling decreases the superconducting transition temperature and increases the jump of the specific-heat coefficient, which indicates entropy transfer from the magnetic to the superconducting degree of freedom at the transition temperature. Below the transition, we find that the magnetic fluctuations are suppressed. We discuss the relation of our results to experiments on CeCoIn$_5$ under pressure.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Mechanism of hopping transport in disordered Mott insulators

By using a combination of detailed experimental studies and simple theoretical arguments, we identify a novel mechanism characterizing the hopping transport in the Mott insulating phase of Ca$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$RuO$_4$ near the metal-insulator transition. The hopping exponent $\alpha$ shows a systematic evolution from a value of $\alpha=1/2$ deeper in the insulator to the conventional Mott value $\alpha=1/3$ closer to the transition. This behavior, which we argue to be a universal feature of disordered Mott systems close to the metal-insulator transition, is shown to reflect the gradual emergence of disorder-induced localized electronic states populating the Mott-Hubbard gap.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, To be published in Physical Review Letter

Filling Control of the Mott Insulator Ca2RuO4

We have grown single crystals of electron doping system Ca2-xLaxRuO4 (0.00 <= x <= 0.20) by a floating zone method. The first order metal/non-metal transition and canted antiferromagnetic ordering occur for 0.00 < x < 0.15, similar to those in the bandwidth controlled system Ca2-xSrxRuO4 (CSRO). However, comparing with CSRO, we found a rather different metallic ground state adjacent to the non-metallic ground state with canted antiferromagnetic order. Instead of short-range antiferromagnetic correlation found in CSRO (0.20 <= x < 0.50), the metallic ground state of the present system is characterized by strong ferromagnetic correlation.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures (eps), submitted to J. Phys. Soc. Jp

First-Order Phase Transition with Breaking of Lattice Rotation Symmetry in Continuous-Spin Model on Triangular Lattice

Using a Monte Carlo method, we study the finite-temperature phase transition in the two-dimensional classical Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice with or without easy-plane anisotropy. The model takes account of competing interactions: a ferromagnetic nearest-neighbor interaction $J_1$ and an antiferromagnetic third nearest-neighbor interaction $J_3$. As a result, the ground state is a spiral spin configuration for $-4 < J_1/J_3 < 0$. In this structure, global spin rotation cannot compensate for the effect of 120-degree lattice rotation, in contrast to the conventional 120-degree structure of the nearest-neighbor interaction model. We find that this model exhibits a first-order phase transition with breaking of the lattice rotation symmetry at a finite temperature. The transition is characterized as a $Z_2$ vortex dissociation in the isotropic case, whereas it can be viewed as a $Z$ vortex dissociation in the anisotropic case. Remarkably, the latter is continuously connected to the former as the magnitude of anisotropy decreases, in contrast to the recent work by Misawa and Motome [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. \textbf{79} (2010) 073001.] in which both the transitions were found to be continuous.Comment: 11pages, 16figures, accepted to JPS

Magnetic Phase Diagram of Ca2-xSrxRuO4 Governed by Structural Distortions

We constructed, by the first-principles calculations, a magnetic phase diagram of Sr$_{2}$RuO$_4$ in the space spanned by structural distortions. Our phase diagram can qualitatively explain the experimental one for Ca$_{2-x}$Sr$_x$RuO$_4$. We found that the rotation and the tilting of RuO$_6$ octahedron are responsible for the ferro- and antiferro-magnetism, respectively, while the flattening of RuO$_6$ is the key factor to stabilize those magnetic ground states. Our results imply that the magnetic and the structural instabilities in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ are closely correlated cooperatively rather than competitively.Comment: 3 figures; accepted by PRB as rapid communicatio