Unravelling the signatures of effective spin 1/2 moments in CeVO4: Magnetization and Heat Capacity study

TL;DR

This study investigates CeVO4, revealing signatures of an effective Jeff=1/2 magnetic ground state with no ordering down to 1.8 K, highlighting its potential as a 3D spin system exhibiting Jeff=1/2 physics.

Contribution

The paper provides experimental evidence of Jeff=1/2 behavior in CeVO4 through magnetization and heat capacity measurements, a novel candidate among 3D spin systems.

Findings

CeVO4 shows no magnetic ordering down to 1.8 K.

Magnetic susceptibility indicates antiferromagnetic correlations.

Heat capacity fits Schottky anomaly, supporting Jeff=1/2 state.

Abstract

The realization of an effective spin (Jeff) 1/2 state at low temperatures offers a platform to study the enthralling physics behind the disordered states in certain systems. Here, we report the signatures of magnetic ground state associated with Jeff = 1/2 in CeVO4. Our studies confirm the absence of any ordering or freezing down to 1.8 K. In the low temperature region, the Curie-Weiss fit of the inverse DC susceptibility indicate towards the presence of antiferromagnetic correlations among the Ce3+ spins. The calculated value of effective moment (~1.16 {\mu}_B) corresponds to J = 1/2 with gJ ~ 1.20. Further, the field dependent magnetization curve at 2 K follows a behaviour corresponding to J = 1/2 Brillouin function with gJ ~ 1.13. Magnetic field dependent heat capacity fits very well with two-level Schottky scheme. Our investigations suggest that CeVO4 can be a promising candidate to realise Jeff = 1/2 properties among 3D spin systems