Spin-Lattice and Electron–Phonon Coupling in 3d/5d Hybrid Sr3NiIrO6

Published September 20, 2019

Motion pattern of atoms for the phonon modes that change in magnetic field.

In Sr₃NiIrO₆ vibrations in the crystal lattice (phonons) play an important role in its intriguing magnetic properties that result in a very high coercive field of 55 T. Using a combination of pulsed and DC magnetic fields coupled with magnetization and far-infrared spectroscopy, researchers were able to conclusively link the phonons to the magnetic behavior.

What did scientists discover?

Deformations of the crystalline lattice in the material Sr₃NiIrO₆ in response to a magnetic field result from the creation of magnetic order, which plays a role in pushing the magnetic switching to very high magnetic fields, as high as 55T.

Why is this important?

Materials whose magnetism can be switched by magnetic fields are critical to many applications of magnetism. When a large magnetic moment is switched at high magnetic fields, it is called 'hard magnetism', which is a much sought after technology. Here we explore why the magnetic moment of Sr₃NiIrO₆ can only be switched at magnetic fields up to 55 T. This is a record high "coercive field" for magnetic switching.

Who did the research?

K.R. O'Neal,¹ A. Paul,² A. al-Wahish,¹ K.D. Hughey,¹ A.L. Blockmon,¹ X. Luo,^{3, 4, 5} S.-W. Cheong,^{3, 4, 6} V.S. Zapf,⁷ C.V. Topping,⁸ J. Singleton,⁷ M. Ozerov,⁹ T. Birol,² and J. L. Musfeldt¹

¹University of Tennessee; ²University of Minnesota; ³Pohang University of Science and Technology; ⁴Pohang Accelerator Laboratory; ⁵Institute of Solid State Physics; ⁶Rutgers University; ⁷national magLab at Los Alamos National Laboratory; ⁸University of St Andrews; ⁹National MagLab at Florida State University

Why did they need the MagLab?

The coercive field of Sr₃NiIrO₆ reaches a maximum of 55T, requiring pulsed magnets to fully access. Measuring infrared spectra takes much longer times to collect, so a 35T resistive magnet was used rather than a pulsed magnet for the infrared spectroscopy. 35 T was required to achieve significant changes due to the high energy scales in this material.

Details for scientists

View or download the expert-level Science Highlight, Why does magnetic switching occur at such high magnetic fields in Sr₃NiIrO₆?
Read the full-length publication, Spin–lattice and electron–phonon coupling in 3d/5d hybrid Sr₃NiIrO₆, in njp Quantum Materials

Funding

This research was funded by the following grants: J.L. Musfeldt (NSF DMR-1629079, DOE DE-FG02-01ER45885), S.-W. Cheong (NSF DMR-1629059, ICT 2016K1A4A01922028), T. Birol (NSF DMR-1629260), G.S. Boebinger, J Singleton, V.S. Zapf, M. Ozerov (NSF DMR-1157490, NSF DMR-1644779), J. Singleton, V.S. Zapf DOE BES "Science at 100 Tesla"

For more information, contact Vivien Zapf.