Effect of cation size variance on spin and orbital order in Eu$_{1-x}$(La$_{0.254}$Y$_{0.746}$)$_{x}$VO$_3$

TL;DR

This study explores how the variance in cation size affects the stability and pattern of spin and orbital orderings in a specific vanadate compound, revealing that size variance can both suppress and stabilize different ordered states.

Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of cation size variance on spin and orbital order stability and pattern in Eu$_{1-x}$(La$_{0.254}$Y$_{0.746}$)VO$_3$, providing new insights into the role of ionic size disorder.

Findings

Size variance disturbs one-dimensional orbital correlation.

Size variance suppresses certain spin/orbital orders.

Size variance stabilizes alternative spin/orbital orders.

Abstract

We have investigated the $R$-ion ($R$ = rare earth or Y) size variance effect on spin/orbital order in Eu$_{1-x}$(La$_{0.254}$Y$_{0.746}$)$_{x}$VO$_3$. The size variance disturbs one-dimensional orbital correlation in $C$-type spin/$G$-type orbital ordered states and suppresses this spin/orbital order. In contrast, it stabilizes the other spin/orbital order. The results of neutron and resonant X-ray scattering denote that in the other ordered phase, the spin/orbital patterns are $G$-type/$C$-type, respectively.