Study of magnetic and dielectric properties of 3d transition metal oxides

Abstract

Transition metal compounds present a unique class of solids with complex and diverse thermodynamic properties. 3d transition metal oxides exist with a great variety of crystal structures, which are reflected in the richness of their physical properties. The orbital states of 3d electrons are to a large extent responsible for the complex relationship between the electronic properties and crystal structure. This complexity and diversity are the indication of strong interplay between electronic, lattice, orbital and spin degrees of freedom. The magnetic ground states of these oxides depend strongly on the environment surrounding the transition metal and also on the exchange interaction pathways between two magnetic ions, which is often mediated through the 2p levels of oxygen. The thesis entitled “Study of magnetic and dielectric properties of 3d transition metal oxides” is devoted to the experimental investigations focusing the magnetic and electric properties of some exotic transition metal oxides with fascinating crystal structures. Where necessary, the X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy, temperature dependent XRD have also been studied to have a comprehensive understanding of the systems. In many cases experimental results are fitted to the existing theoretical models to clarify the analysis. All the results and analyses based on the investigations performed during this tenure have been included in this thesis along with the theoretical background and experimental methodologies.The research was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Subham Majumdar of Solid State Physics division under SPS [School of Physical Sciences]The research was conducted under IACS fellowshi