Two-Dimensional Magnetic Correlations and Partial Long-Range Order in Geometrically Frustrated Sr2YRuO6

TL;DR

This study uses neutron diffraction to explore magnetic correlations in Sr2YRuO6, revealing partial long-range order and two magnetic transitions, advancing understanding of geometrically frustrated magnet systems.

Contribution

It uncovers the nature of magnetic ordering and phase transitions in Sr2YRuO6, highlighting the role of frustration and layered correlations in a FCC lattice.

Findings

Partial long-range magnetic order below 32 K

Two magnetic phase transitions at 32 K and 24 K

Coexistence of short-range and long-range correlations

Abstract

Neutron diffraction on the double perovskite Sr2YRuO6 with a quasi-face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice of Ru moments reveals planar magnetic correlations that condense into a partial long-range ordered state with coupled alternate antiferromagnetic (AFM) YRuO4 square layers coexisting with short-range correlations below T{N1}=32 K. A second transition to a fully ordered AFM state below T{N2}=24 K is observed. These observations are ascribed to the cancellation of the magnetic coupling between consecutive AFM square layers in FCC antiferromagnets, notably the simplest three-dimensional frustrated magnet model system. Inhomogeneous superconductivity in Sr2YRu_{1-x}Cu_{x}O6, reported in earlier works, may be nucleated in magnetically disordered YRu_{1-x}Cu_{x}O4 layers with strong spin fluctuations.