Spin dynamics in the pyrochlore iridate, Er2Ir2O7, investigated by muSR spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic properties of Er2Ir2O7 using muSR spectroscopy, revealing dominant Er3+ fluctuations and weak Ir magnetic signatures, contributing to understanding complex magnetism in pyrochlore iridates.

Contribution

First muSR analysis of Er2Ir2O7 highlighting the interplay of Er and Ir magnetic moments in its complex magnetic behavior.

Findings

Peak in relaxation rate at 15 K indicating magnetic fluctuations

Weak Ir magnetic signatures observed in muSR spectra

Full decoupling of muons not achieved even at high fields

Abstract

Building a full understanding of the complex magnetism in the rare-earth pyrochlore iridates, A2Ir2O7, is an ongoing issue in condensed matter physics. The possibility of two interpenetrating and interacting frustrated magnetic pyrochlore sublattices, connected with the strong spin-orbit coupling of the 5d Ir4+ ion, lends itself to a wide array of potential electronic and magnetic states. In this paper, we present longitudinal field and zero field muSR measurements of Er2Ir2O7. The muSR response of Er2Ir2O7 is dominated by the strong fluctuating fields of the Er3+ (J = 15/2) moments, showing a peak in fitted relaxation rate, {\lambda}_2, at T = 15 K . The muSR spectra show just weak signatures of the Ir transition, that were easily suppressed in applied longitudinal field, however full decoupling of the muons from local magnetic fields was not achieved even in applied fields up to 3 kG.