Magnetic Pyrochlore Oxides

TL;DR

This paper reviews the diverse magnetic properties of pyrochlore oxides, emphasizing their geometric frustration and resulting exotic states like spin liquids and spin ices, from both materials and theoretical perspectives.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the magnetic behaviors and phenomena observed in pyrochlore oxides, highlighting recent developments and theoretical understanding.

Findings

Identification of various short-range ordered magnetic states

Explanation of geometric frustration effects in pyrochlore structures

Summary of experimental and theoretical advances in the field

Abstract

Within the past 20 years or so, there has occurred an explosion of interest in the magnetic behavior of pyrochlore oxides of the type $A_{2}^{3+}$$B_{2}^{4+}$O$_{7}$ where $A$ is a rare-earth ion and $B$ is usually a transition metal. Both the $A$ and $B$ sites form a network of corner-sharing tetrahedra which is the quintessential framework for a geometrically frustrated magnet. In these systems the natural tendency to form long range ordered ground states in accord with the Third Law is frustrated, resulting in some novel short range ordered alternatives such as spin glasses, spin ices and spin liquids and much new physics. This article attempts to review the myriad of properties found in pyrochlore oxides, mainly from a materials perspective, but with an appropriate theoretical context.