Defect-Induced Magnetism in Solids

TL;DR

This paper reviews how defects such as vacancies and ad-atoms can induce magnetic order in non-magnetic solids, supported by recent experimental and theoretical studies across various materials.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the theoretical models and experimental evidence for defect-induced magnetism in non-magnetic and magnetic materials.

Findings

Defects can induce magnetic order in non-magnetic solids.

Experimental evidence supports the existence of defect-induced magnetism.

Theoretical approaches help explain the mechanisms behind DIM.

Abstract

In the last years the number of nominally non-magnetic solids showing magnetic order induced by some kind of defects has increased continuously. From the single element material graphite to several covalently bonded non-magnetic compounds, the influence of defects like vacancies and/or non-magnetic ad-atoms on triggering magnetic order has attracted the interest of experimentalists and theoreticians. We review and discuss the main theoretical approach as well as recently obtained experimental evidence based on different experimental methods that supports the existence of defect-induced magnetism (DIM) in non-magnetic as well as in magnetic materials.