Single crystal growth, structure and magnetic properties of Pr2Hf2O7 pyrochlore

TL;DR

This study reports the successful growth of high-quality Pr2Hf2O7 single crystals, their detailed structural analysis, and magnetic characterization, highlighting their potential as frustrated magnets for advanced neutron scattering research.

Contribution

It presents a novel method for growing high-quality Pr2Hf2O7 single crystals and provides comprehensive structural and magnetic data for this material.

Findings

Pr2Hf2O7 crystals were successfully grown using the floating zone technique.

Structural analysis confirms the pyrochlore structure of the crystals.

Magnetic measurements indicate potential for frustrated magnet behavior.

Abstract

Large single crystals of the pyrochlore Pr2Hf2O7 have been successfully grown by the floating zone technique using an optical furnace equipped with high power Xenon arc lamps. Structural investigations have been carried out by both synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction to establish the crystallographic structure of the materials produced. The magnetic properties of the single crystals have been determined for magnetic fields applied along different crystallographic axes. The results reveal that Pr2Hf2O7 is an interesting material for further investigations as a frustrated magnet. The high quality of the crystals produced make them ideal for detailed investigations, especially those using neutron scattering techniques.