# Magnetic Frustration Driven by Itinerancy in Spinel CoV2O4

## TL;DR

This paper investigates how itinerant electrons influence magnetic frustration in the spinel CoV2O4, revealing a complex interplay that leads to non-collinear spin states and spin-glass behavior.

## Contribution

It uncovers the role of itinerant electrons in inducing magnetic frustration and complex spin states in CoV2O4, a crossover material between insulating and itinerant regimes.

## Key findings

- Itinerant electrons induce magnetic frustration in CoV2O4.
- Non-collinear spin states and spin-glass behavior are observed.
- External perturbations can modify the magnetic phases.

## Abstract

Localized spins and itinerant electrons rarely coexist in geometrically-frustrated spinel lattices. We show that the spinel CoV2O4 stands at the crossover from insulating to itinerant behavior and exhibits a complex interplay between localized spins and itinerant electrons. In contrast to the expected paramagnetism, localized spins supported by enhanced exchange couplings are frustrated by the effects of delocalized electrons. This frustration produces a non-collinear spin state and may be responsible for macroscopic spin-glass behavior. Competing phases can be uncovered by external perturbations such as pressure or magnetic field, which enhance the frustration.