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Anisotropic local modification of crystal field levels in Pr-based pyrochlores : a muon-induced effect modeled using density functional theory

Foronda, F.R.; Lang, F.; Möller, J.S.; Lancaster, T.; Boothroyd, A.T.; Pratt, F.L.; Giblin, S.R.; Prabhakaran, D.; Blundell, S.J.

Anisotropic local modification of crystal field levels in Pr-based pyrochlores : a muon-induced effect modeled using density functional theory Thumbnail


Authors

F.R. Foronda

F. Lang

J.S. Möller

A.T. Boothroyd

F.L. Pratt

S.R. Giblin

D. Prabhakaran

S.J. Blundell



Abstract

Although muon spin relaxation is commonly used to probe local magnetic order, spin freezing, and spin dynamics, we identify an experimental situation in which the measured response is dominated by an effect resulting from the muon-induced local distortion rather than the intrinsic behavior of the host compound. We demonstrate this effect in some quantum spin ice candidate materials Pr2B2O7 (B=Sn, Zr, Hf), where we detect a static distribution of magnetic moments that appears to grow on cooling. Using density functional theory we show how this effect can be explained via a hyperfine enhancement arising from a splitting of the non-Kramers doublet ground states on Pr ions close to the muon, which itself causes a highly anisotropic distortion field. We provide a quantitative relationship between this effect and the measured temperature dependence of the muon relaxation and discuss the relevance of these observations to muon experiments in other magnetic materials.

Citation

Foronda, F., Lang, F., Möller, J., Lancaster, T., Boothroyd, A., Pratt, F., …Blundell, S. (2015). Anisotropic local modification of crystal field levels in Pr-based pyrochlores : a muon-induced effect modeled using density functional theory. Physical Review Letters, 114(1), Article 017602. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.114.017602

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 11, 2014
Online Publication Date Jan 6, 2015
Publication Date Jan 6, 2015
Deposit Date Jan 9, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Physical Review Letters
Print ISSN 0031-9007
Electronic ISSN 1079-7114
Publisher American Physical Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 114
Issue 1
Article Number 017602
DOI https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.114.017602

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Copyright Statement
Reprinted with permission from the American Physical Society: Foronda, F. R., Lang, F., Möller, J. S., Lancaster, T., Boothroyd, A. T., Pratt, F. L., Giblin, S. R., Prabhakaran, D. and Blundell, S. J. (2015) 'Anisotropic local modification of crystal field levels in Pr-based pyrochlores : a muon-induced effect modeled using density functional theory.', Physical review letters., 114 (1). 017602. © 2015 by the American Physical Society. Readers may view, browse, and/or download material for temporary copying purposes only, provided these uses are for noncommercial personal purposes. Except as provided by law, this material may not be further reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, adapted, performed, displayed, published, or sold in whole or part, without prior written permission from the American Physical Society.





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