Cluster formation in quantum critical systems

The presence of magnetic clusters has been verified in both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic quantum critical systems. We review some of the strongest evidence for strongly doped quantum critical systems (Ce(Ru$_{0.24}$Fe$_{0.76}$)$_2$Ge$_2$) and we discuss the implications for the response of the system when cluster formation is combined with finite size effects. In particular, we discuss the change of universality class that is observed close to the order-disorder transition. We detail the conditions under which clustering effects will play a significant role also in the response of stoichiometric systems and their experimental signature.Comment: 5 pages; 2 figures; Internation Conference on Strongly Correlated Electron System

Magnetic excitations in the spinel compound Lix_x[Mn1.96_{1.96}Li0.04_{0.04}]O4_4 (x= 0.2, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0): how a classical system can mimic quantum critical scaling

We present neutron scattering results on the magnetic excitations in the spinel compounds Li$_x$[Mn$_{1.96}$Li$_{0.04}$]O$_4$ (x= 0.2, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0). We show that the dominant excitations below T ~ 70 K are determined by clusters of Mn^4+ ions, and that these excitations mimic the E/T-scaling found in quantum critical systems that also harbor magnetic clusters, such as CeRu$_{0.5}$Fe$_{1.5}$Ge$_2$. We argue that our results for this classical spinel compound show that the unusual response at low temperatures as observed in quantum critical systems is (at least) partially the result of the fragmentation of the magnetic lattice into smaller units. This fragmentation in quantum critical systems is the direct and unavoidable result of intrinsic disorder.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures; to be submitted to PR

Ba{1-x}KxMn2As2: An Antiferromagnetic Local-Moment Metal

The compound BaMn2As2 with the tetragonal ThCr2Si2 structure is a local-moment antiferromagnetic insulator with a Neel temperature TN = 625 K and a large ordered moment mu = 3.9 mu_B/Mn. We demonstrate that this compound can be driven metallic by partial substitution of Ba by K, while retaining the same crystal and antiferromagnetic structures together with nearly the same high TN and large mu. Ba_{1-x}K_xMn2As2 is thus the first metallic ThCr2Si2-type MAs-based system containing local 3d transition metal M magnetic moments, with consequences for the ongoing debate about the local moment versus itinerant pictures of the FeAs-based superconductors and parent compounds. The Ba_{1-x}K_xMn2As2 class of compounds also forms a bridge between the layered iron pnictides and cuprates and may be useful to test theories of high Tc superconductivity.Comment: 5 two-column typeset pages, 5 figures, 20 references; v2: minor revisions, 4 new references, published versio

Genotoxicity evaluation of the insecticide ethion in root of Allium cepa L.

In this study, the genotoxic effects of ethion were investigated in the mitotic cell division of Allium cepa. Primary roots of A. cepa were treated with various concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100%) of ethion solutions for different duration of time. The result revealed that increase in the concentration and duration of treatment decreases the mitotic indices. 24 h treatment at 100% concentration of ethion induced lowest mitotic index (20.08%) than that of the control (36.37%). The percentage of chromosomal abnormalities in different mitotic stages was significantly generally higher than that of the control in all the treatment period and concentrations. These abnormalities appeared in various degrees depending on the treatment duration and concentrations of ethion. The abnormalities in dividing cell reached a maximum value of 11.30% after 12 h of treatment at 75% concentration. The type of abnormalitiesproduced were scattered prophase, non-synchronized condensation of chromosome, disturbed prophase, equatorial plate shifting, sticky chromosomes, C-metaphase and sticky metaphase. Overall, it can be concluded that ethion has a potential genotoxic effects on mitotic divisions in A. cepa root tip cells. So, it will be necessary to test the mutagenic potential of ethion on a more intensive and extensive basis especially on non-target systems before it is recommended for wider use in agriculturalfield

Magnetic Ordering in the Rare Earth Intermetallic Compound Tb₂Ti₃Ge₄: Magnetization and Neutron Diffraction Studies

Magnetization and neutron diffraction studies on a polycrystalline Tb2Ti3Ge4 sample (orthorhombic Sm5Ge4-type structure, space group Pnma, No. 62) have been carried out. This compound is found to order antiferromagnetically at ~18 K (TN). The magnetization (M) versus field (H) isotherms obtained at 2, 3, 5, and 10 K indicate a field-induced antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition in fields of the order of 0.5 T. The saturation magnetization value at 2.5 K (M extrapolated to 1/H--\u3e0) is only ~5.6µB/Tb3+, suggesting the possible presence of crystal field effects with or without a persisting antiferromagnetic component. Neutron powder diffraction data at 10 K confirm the existence of a magnetic long range order. Modeling of the magnetic scattering reveals a complex and incommensurate antiferromagnetic spin structure below TN

Observation of spin glass state in weakly ferromagnetic Sr2_2FeCoO6_6 double perovskite

We report the observation of spin glass state in the double perovskite oxide Sr$_{2}$FeCoO$_{6}$ prepared through sol-gel technique. Initial structural studies using x rays reveal that the compound crystallizes in tetragonal $I 4/m$ structure with lattice parameters, $a$ = 5.4609(2) \AA and $c$ = 7.7113(7) \AA. The temperature dependent powder x ray studies reveal no structural phase transition in the temperature range 10 -- 300 K. However, the unit cell volume shows an anomaly coinciding with the magnetic transition temperature thereby suggesting a close connection between lattice and magnetism. Neutron diffraction studies and subsequent bond valence sums analysis show that in Sr$_{2}$FeCoO$_{6}$, the $B$ site is randomly occupied by Fe and Co in the mixed valence states of Fe$^{3+}$/Fe$^{4+}$ and Co$^{3+}$/Co$^{4+}$. The random occupancy and mixed valence sets the stage for inhomogeneous magnetic exchange interactions and in turn, for the spin glass like state in this double perovskite which is observed as an irreversibility in temperature dependent dc magnetization at $T_f\sim$ 75 K. Thermal hysteresis observed in the magnetization profile of Sr$_{2}$FeCoO$_{6}$ is indicative of the mixed magnetic phases present. The dynamic magnetic susceptibility displays characteristic frequency dependence and confirms the spin glass nature of this material. Dynamical scaling analysis of $\chi'(T)$ yields a critical temperature $T_{ct}$ = 75.14(8) K and an exponent $z\nu$ = 6.2(2) typical for spin glasses. The signature of presence of mixed magnetic interactions is obtained from the thermal hysteresis in magnetization of Sr$_{2}$FeCoO$_{6}$. Combining the neutron and magnetization results of Sr$_2$FeCoO$_6$, we deduce the spin states of Fe to be in low spin while that of Co to be in low spin and intermediate spin.Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures, accepted in J. Appl. Phy

Persistence of local-moment antiferromagnetic order in Ba(1-x)KxMn2As2

BaMn2As2 is a local-moment antiferromagnetic insulator with a N\'eel temperature of 625 K and a large ordered moment of 3.9 Bohr magneton per Mn. Remarkably, this compound can be driven metallic by the substitution of as little as 1.6% K for Ba while retaining essentially the same ordered magnetic moment and N\'eel temperature, as previously reported. Here, using both powder and single crystal neutron diffraction we show that the local moment antiferromagnetic order in Ba(1-x)KxMn2As2 remains robust up to x = 0.4. The ordered moment is nearly independent of x for 0 < x < 0.4 and the N\'eel transition temperature decreases to 480 K at x = 0.4.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure