Frustrated Magnetism in Fluoride and Chalcogenide Pyrochlore Lattice Materials

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding frustrated magnetism in non-oxide pyrochlore materials, emphasizing how different anions influence magnetic properties and ground states.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of progress in fluoride and chalcogenide pyrochlore lattices, highlighting new magnetic ground states and the impact of anion substitution.

Findings

Anion substitution modifies spin anisotropy and exchange pathways.

New magnetic ground states have been identified in non-oxide pyrochlores.

Progress in synthesis enables exploration of diverse magnetic phenomena.

Abstract

Pyrochlore lattices, which are found in two important classes of materials -- the $A_2B_2X_7$ pyrochlore family and the $AB_2X_4$ spinel family -- are the quintessential 3-dimensional frustrated lattice architecture. While historically oxides ($X =$~O) have played the starring role in this field, the past decade has seen materials synthesis breakthroughs that have lead to the emergence of fluoride ($X =$~F) and chalcogenide ($X =$~S, Se) pyrochlore lattice materials. In this Research Update, we summarize recent progress in understanding the magnetically frustrated ground states in three families of non-oxide pyrochlore lattice materials: (i) $3d$-transition metal fluoride pyrochlores, (ii) rare earth chalcogenide spinels, and (iii) chromium chalcogenide spinels with a breathing pyrochlore lattice. We highlight how the change of anion can modify the single ion spin anisotropy due to crystal electric field effects, stabilize the incorporation of new magnetic elements, and dramatically alter the exchange pathways and thereby lead to new magnetic ground states. We also consider a range of future directions -- materials with the potential to define the next decade of research in frustrated magnetism.