Magnetic polarization of Ir in underdoped, non-superconducting Eu(Fe$_{0.94}$Ir$_{0.06}$)$_{2}$As$_{2}$

TL;DR

This study reveals multiple magnetic and structural phase transitions in underdoped Eu(Fe$_{0.94}$Ir$_{0.06}$)$_{2}$As$_{2}$, showing that Ir doping suppresses certain orders and induces magnetic polarization in Ir 5d states, indicating interplay between Eu moments and conduction electrons.

Contribution

First demonstration of magnetic polarization of Ir 5d states in Eu(Fe$_{1-x}$Ir$_{x}$)$_{2}$As$_{2}$, revealing interplay between Eu magnetic order and Ir doping effects.

Findings

Ir doping suppresses structural and Fe magnetic transitions

Eu spins order within the ab plane with reduced temperature

Ir 5d states are magnetically polarized with a lower onset temperature

Abstract

Using polarized neutron diffraction and x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS) techniques, multiple phase transitions were revealed in an underdoped, non-superconducting Eu(Fe$_{1-x}$Ir$_{x}$)$_{2}$As$_{2}$ ($\mathit{x}$ = 0.06) single crystal. Compared with the parent compound EuFe$_{2}$As$_{2}$, the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic structural phase transition and the antiferromagnetic order of the Fe$^{2+}$ moments are significantly suppressed to $\mathit{T_{S}}$ = 111 (2) K and $\mathit{T_{N,Fe}}$= 85 (2) K by 6% Ir doping, respectively. In addition, the Eu$^{2+}$ spins order within the $\mathit{ab}$ plane in the A-type antiferromagnetic structure similar to the parent compound. However, the order temperature is evidently suppressed to $\mathit{T_{N,Eu}}$= 16.0 (5) K by Ir doping. Most strikingly, the XRMS measurements at the Ir $\mathit{L_{3}}$ edge demonstrates that the Ir 5$\mathit{d}$ states are also magnetically polarized, with the same propagation vector as the magnetic order of Fe. With $\mathit{T_{N,Ir}}$ = 12.0 (5) K, they feature a much lower onset temperature compared with $\mathit{T_{N,Fe}}$. Our observation suggests that the magnetism of the Eu sublattice has a considerable effect on the magnetic nature of the 5$\mathit{d}$ Ir dopant atoms and there exists a possible interplay between the localized Eu$^{2+}$ moments and the conduction $\mathit{d}$-electrons on the FeAs layers.