Nature of the transition between a ferromagnetic metal and a spin-glass insulator in pyrochlore molybdates

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Aug 24;99(8):086401. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.086401. Epub 2007 Aug 21.

Abstract

The metal-insulator transition has been investigated for pyrochlore molybdates R(2)Mo(2)O(7) with nonmagnetic rare-earth ions R. The dynamical scaling analysis of ac susceptibility reveals that the geometrical frustration causes the atomic spin-glass state. The reentrant spin-glass phase exists below the ferromagnetic transition. The electronic specific heat is enhanced as compared to the band calculation result, perhaps due to the orbital fluctuation in the half-metallic ferromagnetic state. The large specific heat is rather reduced upon the transition, likely because the short-range antiferromagnetic fluctuation shrinks the Fermi surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Glass*
  • Magnets*
  • Metals
  • Models, Chemical
  • Transition Temperature

Substances

  • Metals