Tailoring the ground state of the ferrimagnet La2Ni(Ni1/3Sb2/3)O6

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 346; pp. 196 - 202
• Main Authors: Franco, D.G., Carbonio, R.E., Kaul, E.E., Nieva, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Demagnetization; Domain walls; Double perovskite; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange and superexchange interactions; Ferrimagnetic; Ferrimagnetism; Ground state; Hysteresis; Hysteresis loops; Magnetic frustration; Magnetic oxide; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetically ordered materials: other intrinsic properties; Magnetism; Physics; Superexchange and super-superexchange interaction; Thin films; Double perovskite; Superexchange and super-superexchange interaction; Ferrimagnetic; Magnetic oxide; Magnetic frustration; Antiferromagnetism; Ground states; Domain walls; Magnetic hysteresis; Oxides; Perovskites; Thin films; Ferrimagnetic materials; Irreversible processes; Temperature effects; Superexchange interactions; Demagnetization; Exchange interactions
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2013.07.017

We report on the magnetic and structural properties of La2Ni(Ni1/3Sb2/3)O6 in polycrystal, single crystal and thin film samples. We found that this material is a ferrimagnet (Tc≈100K) which possesses a very distinctive and uncommon feature in its virgin curve of the hysteresis loops. We observe that bellow 20K it lies outside the hysteresis cycle, and this feature was found to be an indication of a microscopically irreversible process possibly involving the interplay of competing antiferromagnetic interactions that hinder the initial movement of domain walls. This initial magnetic state is overcome by applying a temperature dependent characteristic field. Above this field, an isothermal magnetic demagnetization of the samples yield a ground state different from the initial thermally demagnetized one. •We found at low temperature a magnetically frustrated state in La2Ni(Ni1/3Sb2/3)O6.•We used single crystals, polycrystals and thin films samples in this study.•The virgin magnetization curve lies outside the hysteresis loop in this ferrimagnet.•Competing antiferro-interactions with different exchange paths create the frustration.•A method to overcome the frustrated state helps to understand its microscopic origin.