Spin-orbit-driven magnetic structure and excitation in the 5d pyrochlore Cd 2 Os 2 O 7

S. Calder, J. G. Vale, N. A. Bogdanov, X. Liu, C. Donnerer, M. H. Upton, D. Casa, A. H. Said, M. D. Lumsden, Z. Zhao, J. Q. Yan, D. Mandrus, S. Nishimoto, J. Van Den Brink, J. P. Hill, D. F. McMorrow, A. D. Christianson

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Abstract

Much consideration has been given to the role of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in 5d oxides, particularly on the formation of novel electronic states and manifested metal-insulator transitions (MITs). SOC plays a dominant role in 5d5 iridates (Ir4+), undergoing MITs both concurrent (pyrochlores) and separated (perovskites) from the onset of magnetic order. However, the role of SOC for other 5d configurations is less clear. For example, 5d3 (Os5+) systems are expected to have an orbital singlet with reduced effective SOC. The pyrochlore Cd2Os2O7 nonetheless exhibits a MIT entwined with magnetic order phenomenologically similar to pyrochlore iridates. Here, we resolve the magnetic structure in Cd2Os2O7 with neutron diffraction and then via resonant inelastic X-ray scattering determine the salient electronic and magnetic energy scales controlling the MIT. In particular, SOC plays a subtle role in creating the electronic ground state but drives the magnetic order and emergence of a multiple spin-flip magnetic excitation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number11651
JournalNature Communications
Volume7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 7 2016

Funding

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