Distinct magnetic ground states of $R_2$ZnIrO$_6$ ($R$ = La and Nd) determined by neutron powder diffraction

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic ground states of $R_2$ZnIrO$_6$ ($R$ = La, Nd) using neutron diffraction and susceptibility measurements, revealing distinct magnetic arrangements and complex interactions in these double perovskite iridates.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed neutron diffraction analysis of La and Nd variants, uncovering their unique magnetic structures and the interplay of various magnetic interactions.

Findings

La compound exhibits canted antiferromagnetism with a net ferromagnetic component.

Nd compound shows antiferromagnetism with a propagation vector (1/2 1/2 0) below 17 K.

Both compounds have magnetic moments lying mainly in the $ab$-plane.

Abstract

Double perovskite iridates $A_2$ZnIrO$_6$ ($A$ = alkaline or lanthanide) show complex magnetic behaviors ranging from weak ferromagnetism to successive antiferromagnetic transitions. Here we report the static ($dc$) and dynamic ($ac$) magnetic susceptibility, and neutron powder diffraction measurements for $A$ = La and Nd compounds to elucidate the magnetic ground state. Below 10~K, the $A$ = La compound is best described as canted iridium moments in an antiferromagnet arrangement with a propagation vector \textbf{k} = 0 and a net ferromagnetic component along the $c$-axis. On the other hand, Nd$_2$ZnIrO$_6$ is described well as an antiferromagnet with a propagation vector \textbf{k} = (1/2~1/2~0) below $T_\mathrm{N} \sim$ 17 K. Scattering from both the Nd and Ir magnetic sublattices were required to describe the data and both were found to lie almost completely within the $ab$-plane. $Dc$ susceptibility revealed a bifurcation between the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled curves below $\sim$13 K in Nd$_2$ZnIrO$_6$. A glassy state was ruled out by $ac$ susceptibility but detailed magnetic isotherms revealed the opening of the loop below 13~K. These results suggest a delicate balance exists between the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya, crystal field schemes, and $d$-$f$ interaction in this series of compounds.